‘Hamza can be a beacon for Bangladeshi kids’

English club Watford’s head coach Rob Edwards said that Hamza Chowdhury can be a trailblazer in inspiring the next generation of Bangladeshi footballers.

Hamza, born in Loughborough in Leicestershire, England, is of Grenadian and Sylheti heritage. The former England Under-21 last week opened the door to the possibility of playing for Bangladesh in an interview with Anwar Uddin, who is the first British-Bangladeshi to play in England’s professional circuit.

“I think it could be a fantastic thing if that’s what he chooses to do,” the Watford boss said when asked about the impact Choudhury could make.

“I think he can be a real beacon for young Bangladeshi kids, who could look to him and say I can do that. Hamza can be a real shining light. If he chooses to do it, I think it could be positive for a lot of people,” he added.

Hamza, who is the only British-Bangladeshi ever to play in the Premier League, is also an FA Cup winner with Leicester in 2021.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder, who struggled to get playing time last season under Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers, joined Championship club, Watford, on loan for the 2022-23 season, with the option to make the move permanent the following summer.