It all started with Jamal Bhuiyan.
After the Denmark-born midfielder, Finland-born defender Tariq Kazi joined the Bangladesh team.
England-based Hamza Choudhury though has created the most sensation now among the expatriate footballers. Shamit Shome is the latest addition to the group.
Shamit represented Canada at different national age-group teams and the senior side twice.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1997, Shamit also grew up at the same place, playing football and basketball.
He started playing football for Southwest United SC at the age of five.
English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal were his favourite club growing up. His favourite footballers include midfielders like Toni Kroos, Cesc Fabregas and Yaya Toure.
Shamit spent almost his entire youth career at Southwest United until 2014. He then became a part of the Canadian youth program the same year.
Shamit was a star in college football. He was named Canada West Rookie of the Year and selected on the Canada West Second team All-Stars after playing with the University of Alberta Golden Bears in 2015.
He started all 12 of Alberta’s conference games, scoring six goals, including two game winners.
He joined FC Edmonton’s youth team in 2015 and signed his first professional contract there the following year.
Having been considered one of Canada's most exciting young prospects, Shamit received offer from the Major League Soccer.
He joined MLS side Montreal Impact in 2017.
Shamit missed the 2017 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship due to injury.
He was selected to represent Canada at the 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.
He took part in three camps with the Canada U-20 team in England, Costa Rica and Honduras in 2016.
He was named for the Canadian U-23 training camp in January, 2018 before playing the prestigious Toulon Tournament in France, in June, with the U-21 team. He also represented Canada U-18 team.
At 22, he made his senior debut for Canada. He was called up for Canada’s friendlies against Barbados and Iceland. He made his international bow on January 7, 2020 against Barbados.
Shamit was eligible to switch allegiance to Bangladesh as his parents are Bangladeshi but he was not initially interested when Bangladesh Football Federation first approached him.
After Hamza made his Bangladesh debut in March this year, Shamit made up his mind. He agreed to play for the men in red and green the following month.
He got clearance from Canada, acquired Bangladeshi passport and received green signal from FIFA by May 5. He is likely to make Bangladesh debut against Singapore on June 10.
