Who is the only Bangladeshi footballer to have played in the Premier League? Most people know the answer — Hamza Choudhury. Following Hamza’s path, another Bangladeshi may put his name down next season. Farhan Ali Wahid has not yet made his debut for Bangladesh, but today was a memorable day in his club career. The winger made his Fulham first-team debut today in a pre-season friendly against Norwich.
Farhan came on as a substitute in the 46th minute of the match against Norwich for Fulham’s first team. Although he did not score or assist, and his side lost 2-0, making his first-team debut under the Spanish coach Álvaro Arbeloa was like a dream come true for him. As the match was played behind closed doors it was not broadcast anywhere, so there is no way to say how Farhan played. Fulham’s website said, however, that a curling shot from Farhan tested the goalkeeper.
Farhan was born in England on 9 December 2006. Both his parents are of Bangladeshi descent, with Sylheti roots, though they too were born in the United Kingdom. A boy who grew up on London’s streets, he took his first lessons in football at Chelsea’s academy. But in 2019 he moved to another west London club, Fulham.
The years that followed were a story of rising step by step. He made his under-18 debut as a substitute against Rochdale in the FA Youth Cup in December 2022. In July 2023 he signed a scholarship agreement with Fulham, and in January 2024 he made his under-21 debut. By then the left-sided winger had made his style of play known — fearless in one-on-one contests, skilled at cutting inside and shooting, a blend of pace and technical ability.
Big recognition came in 2025 — his first professional contract with Fulham. And in the 2025-26 season his form in the Premier League 2 was striking. In November he won the player of the month award, and at the end of the season he made the shortlist for player of the year.
In May this year the BFF vice-president Fahad Karim said in a video message that the process of bringing Farhan into the national team had begun. His agent had contacted the federation to express interest, after which work began on preparing the paperwork for a Bangladeshi passport. Bangladesh wants him for the September international window. The federation is even considering him for the squad for the SAFF Championship in November, Fahad Karim said in that video message.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report