Photo: Collected
After weeks of speculation, Hamza Choudhury has officially joined Sheffield United on loan from Leicester City until the end of the season. The 27-year-old midfielder, of Bangladeshi descent, has struggled for game time at Leicester this season, making only six Premier League appearances. His new club, Sheffield United, currently compete in the Championship, the second tier of English football, as they aim for promotion to the Premier League.
Hamza still has two and a half years left on his Leicester contract, but he was not a prominent figure in manager Ruud van Nistelrooy's plans. The move to Sheffield offers him a chance for regular football and a significant role in the team's ambitions.
Sheffield United, managed by Chris Wilder, have long admired Hamza, with Wilder particularly impressed by his performances during a loan spell at Watford in the 2022–23 season.
Expressing his excitement about the move, Hamza said, "I'm delighted to join Sheffield United. The discussions have been ongoing for a few weeks, and I'm ready to contribute. I know the team's position in the league, and I want to help them achieve even greater success."
Sheffield United welcomed Hamza with a nod to his Bangladeshi heritage, introducing him as the "Bangladeshi Blade" in a social media post accompanied by a short video featuring the Bangladeshi flag. The nickname aligns with Sheffield United's moniker, "The Blades," highlighting the club's intent to connect with his background.
Sheffield currently sit second in the Championship table, behind leaders Leeds United. As per the structure of English football, the top two teams in the Championship earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the teams placed third to sixth compete in playoffs for the final promotion spot.
Hamza is expected to debut for Sheffield in their upcoming clash against Derby County on Saturday.
British media outlets have reported that Sheffield United will cover Hamza's full wages during the loan period, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
Messenger/Tareq
