Hamza leaves Leicester after 21 years to seal Sheffield United return

Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury has ended his 21-year association with Leicester City after completing a permanent return to Sheffield United on a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old joins the Blades for an undisclosed fee, returning to Bramall Lane after becoming a fan favourite during a successful loan spell in 2025. Hamza made 19 appearances in all competitions during that spell, playing a key role as Sheffield United reached the Championship play-off final.

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His return marks the end of a remarkable journey with Leicester. He joined the club academy as a seven-year-old and spent more than two decades rising through the academy to the first team.

Leicester paid tribute to the Bangladesh international in a social media post, writing: “Hamza joined us aged seven, later representing our First Team, winning the FA Cup and Championship title over a Leicester City association spanning more than two decades.

“Thank you, Hamza, and best of luck for the future.”

The 28-year-old made his Leicester first-team debut in a League Cup tie against Liverpool before making his Premier League bow against Tottenham Hotspur two months later. He went on to make 165 appearances for the Foxes and was part of their FA Cup-winning side in 2021, while also helping them secure the Championship title in 2024.

He had also previously worked under Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder during a loan spell at Watford, with the Blades manager making no secret of his admiration for the versatile midfielder.

Wilder said Choudhury's ability to operate at right-back and in midfield would add much-needed competition to his squad.

“Everyone knows what I think of Hamza as a player and a person,” Wilder said.

“Blades fans know from his first spell here that we have a terrific footballer with an attitude and determination which mirrors everything we are about at this football club.

“During the last 10 games of his first spell here, he was arguably our best player, which included the play-off semifinals and final.”

During the last 10 games of his first spell here, he was arguably our best player, which included the play-off semifinals and final

Chris Wilder

Wilder also highlighted the physicality, energy and winning mentality Choudhury would bring to the dressing room.

“He's a winner, he's played at the highest level,” Wilder added. “He knows what it takes to be successful at this level and he'll be a real driving force within the dressing room.”

Hamza, meanwhile, admitted that leaving Leicester represented a major change after spending his entire football life at the club.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s somewhere I really enjoyed my time last time I was here, so I’m really happy to get it over the line.

“It’s a big change for me. I’ve been at Leicester for 21 years now, so it’s a change for me and my family, but one I’m really looking forward to and hopefully we can have a big season here.

“I’ve worked with the manager for a short period at Watford and then obviously the last spell I had here, and we’ve always kept in touch. I really love playing under him.”