Bangladesh-origin Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury arrived on Monday to join the Bangladesh national football team for their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, bringing an end to the long-awaited homecoming.
Hamza, currently the most anticipated figure in the country鈥檚 sports arena, landed at the Osmani International Airport in Sylhet at 11.50am, along with his family.
Upon his arrival in Sylhet, he was welcomed by his family and the Bangladesh Football Federation, with seven executive members, including Sakhawat Hossain Bhuiya, Shaheen Kamrul Islam, Golam Gaus, Iqbal Hossain, Satyajit Das, Imtiaz Hamid Sabuj, and Manjurul Karim.
The 27-year-old footballer will don the red-green jersey against India in the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Shillong on March 25 as he hopes to mark his new beginning with a victory.
鈥業t feels incredible. My heart is pumped. Amazing, amazing. A long time coming. Excited to be here,鈥� Hamza told the media at the airport.
鈥業nshallah, we will win. I鈥檝e spoken with coach Javier [Cabrera] about many things. Hopefully, we will win and progress,鈥� he said.
Hamza will spend two days in his ancestral village in Habiganj before joining the Bangladesh team on Tuesday.
He was delighted to see the crowd, gathered at his ancestral home with banners, festoons, and musical instruments, joyfully chanting his name in celebration.
鈥業 feel really good. Bangladesh Zindabad. I can never imagine so many people in my 鈥榖ari鈥�. I can鈥檛 explain, I鈥檝e so much love in my heart for my people.鈥�
He felt no pressure; instead, he was overwhelmed by seeing the love of the people and remained optimistic for the forthcoming match.聽
鈥楴o pressure whatsoever. The people coming here, showing me love, so no pressure. It gives me more motivation to play well,鈥� said Hamza.
鈥楾he coach has shown me lots of clips from the previous practice sessions, which look good. Inshallah we鈥檒l do something good,鈥� added Hamza, who is expected to wear number 8 jersey.
Hamza will attend an official press conference at the team hotel on March 19, where he will speak alongside the team鈥檚 coach and captain before the team leaves for Kolkata on March 20.