Home-bound Sheffield United star Hamza Dewan Choudhury has boarded on the plane for Bangladesh and is set to arrive at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet today (March 17) at 11:40 am (BST).
"Hamza Choudhury is Dhaka-bound! The Bengal Tiger is on his way home," a Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) post read on Monday (March 17) midnight.
Before boarding his flight to Bangladesh, Hamza played in the Sheffield Derby against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday evening.
Sheffield United secured a 1-0 victory, with the winning goal scored by Rhian Brewster. Hamza played full 90 minutes of the match.
He will be accompanied by his mother, Rafia Dewan Choudhury, his wife, Olivia Choudhury, their three children, his two brothers, a physiotherapist, and one other member of his entourage.
Hamza’s father, Dewan Murshid Choudhury, arrived in Bangladesh three weeks ago to make all the necessary arrangements for welcoming his son. Although this is not Hamza’s first homecoming, Dewan Murshid is particularly concerned about security this time, as his son has become a national star.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), along with local administration and law enforcement agencies, is working closely with Dewan Murshid to ensure maximum security for the Bangladesh footballer and his entourage.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh national football team, currently training in Taif, Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday (March 18).
Hamza will officially attend a press conference on Wednesday after a photo session with the team. The Bangladesh-born English footballer is also expected to join a training session under head coach Javier Cabrera later that day.
Hamza is set to make his debut for Bangladesh in a crucial first-leg match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round against India on March 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
The 27-year-old midfielder is currently playing for EFL Championship club Sheffield United on loan from Premier League side Leicester City. His loan contract is set to expire on May 21, after which he is likely to return to Leicester.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
