Choudhury 'So Proud' To Agree New Terms
Over the past 14 months, meanwhile, Choudhury, 21, has risen through the ranks to make eight senior appearances for the Foxes, as well as climbing into England Under-21s contention.
The Loughborough-born central midfielder, who joined the Club’s Academy as a seven-year-old, spoke to LCFC TV this week about the sense of honour he feels to represent the Foxes.
“I’m so proud to sign a new deal at this great football club,” he said, sat in the home changing room at King Power Stadium, following confirmation of his new contract.
Choudhury's New Deal Pride
Academy graduate Hamza Choudhury speaks to LCFC TV after confirmation of his new contract at King Power Stadium.
“I don’t know if I can quite put it into words – to sign a new deal here and obviously stay here for hopefully many years to come is incredible.
“When I joined, it was clear that it was a family club, I think that’s why me and my family chose Leicester.
“The people in and around the Club – as they still are – were so friendly and welcoming, so that’s my first real memory of the Club.”
Like Foxes team-mate Ben Chilwell before him, Choudhury has completed a journey through the ranks that all Academy stars dream of - from the early age groups to the first team.
“I think that’s what every player wants to do, whichever club they’re at, is play for the first team of the club that they’ve played through as scholars,” he continued.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do that before, but I think it is a massive achievement. Obviously, when you see the players driving in and stuff when you’re a bit younger… they’re really your heroes.
“Then, obviously, to actually play for the Football Club and then sign a new deal, it’s an incredible achievement.”
The tough-tackling midfielder soon built on his Carabao Cup debut against Liverpool in September 2018 with a maiden Premier League appearance later that season at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
He then featured in each of Leicester City’s final seven fixtures of the 2017/18 season - impressing many, both within the Club's fanbase and the wider football community.
His journey also included a valuable loan spell with Burton Albion, with Choudhury earning 28 appearances across two loans with the Brewers, who earned promotion to the second tier in 2016.
“I’ve spoken about it before but it helps you grow, helps you mature quite a lot and you have to do it very quickly in a short amount of time or you can be out the door,” he said.
“I enjoyed my time at Burton and it improved me as a player and as a person and I’d like to thank everyone there at Burton for helping me get to this stage as well.”
However, Choudhury is now looking to the exciting future ahead and – having seen others among City’s talented English crop continue to improve – he’s excited for what the next three-and-a-half years could have in store.
He concluded: “The chances I’ve already had at such a young age, to be playing in the Premier League… I think those chances are rare to come by, especially at a big club like this.
“I couldn’t think of anywhere else I'd want to play my football. My plan now is to try to push my way into the team to get some regular playing time and then to play well.”