This Is Premier League

PL2 helped my dream come true, says Choudhury

26 Jul 2018

Leicester City youngster says Premier League under-23 competition helped his lifelong hopes of first-team football become a reality

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In 2004, a seven-year-old boy from Leicestershire signed for his local club Leicester City with big ambitions.

"When I joined I dreamed of making it to first-team football and playing in front of thousands," says Hamza Choudhury.

Thirteen years later, Hamza's dream became a reality when he made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur.

"When I had my name called out, it gave me goosebumps," he says in This Is Premier League, the official season review.

"It was a bit surreal to be honest. The manager turned around and shouted my name and I was a bit flustered.

"But running out into the King Power, it was quite emotional, especially to have my family watching me.

"As soon as I came off the pitch, I had the biggest smile on my face and I couldn't get rid of it for the rest of the night."

'PL2 has helped me grow'

Hamza's dreams were not the only ones to come true.

The 20-year-old was one of 43 home-grown players who enjoyed a Premier League debut last season.

He cites the role of Premier League 2 in his development to the Leicester first team.

Hamza was one of the stars of Leicester's title challenge in Division 1 of the Under-23 competition.

"For a lot of the lads it's been a massive learning curve," he says.

"It's helped us grow as people, and football-wise we've become a lot better and stronger."

See: This is Premier League

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