What Hamza Choudhury said about Sheffield United as return to Leicester City confirmed | OneFootball

Hamza Choudhury has commented on his time at Sheffield United ahead of returning back to parent club Leicester City.

Having missed out on promotion back to the Premier League with Sheffield United, Hamza Choudhury is set to return to parent club Leicester City.

Chris Wilder’s United took the lead in the Championship play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley Stadium, only for the Black Cats to pull off a stunning turnaround in the second-half with a stoppage-time winner scored by Tommy Watson.

Sheffield United had returned from the March international break in an excellent position to launch something of a title challenge but instead collapsed towards the end of the campaign, missing out on a top two finish.

Their squad will likely see some churn over the summer with several loan deals having to an end, and there are also suggestions that key players such as Gustavo Hamer could be sold.

Choudhury will be returning to the King Power Stadium at the end of his spell at Bramall Lane, and he has addressed supporters with an emotional message.

Choudhury’s fond farewell to Sheffield United

Taking to Instagram in the aftermath of their season-defining loss in north London, 27-year-old defensive midfielder Choudhury has spoken of his disappointment at how the final went, but what it has meant to him to play for the club.

Choudhury said: “Such a painful way to end the season. I’ve struggled to find the right words over the last couple of days. I feel like we deserved so much more but it’s not what was written!

“I want to thank everyone associated with Sheffield United, the gaffer and his staff, all my teammates and to every single fan for making my time so memorable here!

“I’ve loved being able to play and represent this special club! UTB”

Choudhury joined Sheffield United on loan from Leicester in the January transfer window and made 19 appearances for the club, with 16 regular season games and then starting all three of their play-off matches.

Choudhury to depart Bramall Lane

In their retained list, Sheffield United confirmed that Choudhury was returning to his parent club alongside fellow loanees Alfie Gilchrist, Rob Holding, Harry Souttar, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Harry Clarke and Ben Brereton Diaz.

No first-team players have been released by the club with former Liverpool attacker Rhian Brewster out of contract in South Yorkshire, but in discussions over a new deal at Bramall Lane.

There is reported interest in Hamer, whilst players such as Michael Cooper and Anel Ahmedhodzic have excelled again this season, so it would not be a surprise to see them linked with moved to the Premier League.

Loughborough-born Choudhury, who came through the academy at Leicester and won the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021, began to represent the Bangladesh national team earlier this year, having previously made seven appearances for the England U21 side.

The former Burton Albion and Watford loanee, who has made 131 appearances for Leicester, including 34 in their Championship-winning season a couple of years ago, is under contract at the King Power Stadium until the summer of 2027 and would seem likely to form part of their squad in the second-tier again next season.