Man City Secure €40m Signing of Abdukodir Khusanov

• Abdukodir Khusanov joins Manchester City from Lens for €40m (£33.6m).
• The 20-year-old becomes the first Uzbek player in Premier League history.
• Khusanov has signed a long-term contract until 2029.

Manchester City have officially announced the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov, a promising young centre-back from French club Lens. The €40m transfer marks City’s first acquisition of the January window and introduces the Premier League to its first-ever player from Uzbekistan.

Khusanov’s six-and-a-half-year deal will see him stay at the Etihad Stadium until at least the summer of 2029.

Player Reaction

Expressing his excitement about joining the reigning Premier League champions, Khusanov said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club I’ve admired for a long time. This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them. Of course, Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever, and I’m excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.”

The 20-year-old also shared his pride in representing Uzbekistan at the highest level:

“This is a very proud moment for me and my family. I’m ready for the challenge ahead.”

Club Perspective

City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, praised Khusanov’s abilities, highlighting his intelligence, physicality, and potential for growth:

“Abdukodir is a strong, aggressive, and fast defender with a great footballing brain, especially for someone so young. Working with Pep will only elevate his game. He’s determined to keep improving, and we’re excited to have him join us.”

Background

Khusanov’s rise has been meteoric. The defender previously played for Energetik-BGU in Belarus before moving to Lens, where he wore the number 25 jersey. At City, he has chosen the number 45, a shirt made famous by Mario Balotelli and previously worn by Micah Richards.

Looking Ahead

Khusanov’s arrival bolsters City’s defensive options as the club competes on multiple fronts this season. With Pep Guardiola’s guidance, the Uzbek starlet is poised to develop into a key figure for the team’s future.