England U21 international changes allegiance to side ranked 185th in world
FIFA announced in 2020 that players can change which national team they represent if they’ve featured in no more than three competitive fixtures at senior level before turning 21
Former England under-21 international Hamza Choudhury has changed his international allegiance to Bangladesh.
Choudhury, 27, was born in Loughborough but will now represent his mother’s homeland. The Leicester City star played seven times for England U21s, having been highly rated at the start of his career.
But Choudhury admits that playing for the Three Lions are ‘no longer an option’ for him. The midfielder will instead become the first Premier League player to represent Bangladesh, who are ranked 185th in the world by FIFA.
“We are pleased to inform that Hamza Dewan Choudhury has been cleared to play for Bangladesh,” the Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed. “This decision was made by the Player’s Status Chamber of the Football Tribunal of FIFA.”
Choudhury made his debut for Leicester in 2017 and barring a one-season long spell with Watford, has played for the Foxes ever since. The 27-year-old started last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Newcastle, leaving Leicester 17th in the Premier League table under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
