Manchester City have announced the signing of 20-year-old centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from French side Lens, making him the first addition of the January transfer window.
Khusanov is set to become the first player from Uzbekistan to play in the Premier League, with the transfer reported to be in the region of €40m (£33.6m). He has signed a long-term contract, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until at least the summer of 2029.
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Khusanov expressed his excitement about joining the Premier League champions, telling City’s official website:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching 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.
And of course, Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever, and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.
“This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great club like Manchester City, and I’m more than ready for this challenge.”
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City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain praised Khusanov’s intelligence and potential, despite his relatively limited senior experience.
He highlighted the young defender’s strength, aggression, and speed as standout attributes, adding that working with Guardiola will further enhance his development. Begiristain also noted Khusanov’s determination to keep improving.
Khusanov has chosen to wear City’s number 45 shirt, made famous by former striker Mario Balotelli and also worn by Micah Richards. At his previous club, Lens, he wore the number 25, but number 45 was his jersey at Energetik-BGU, his first club in Minsk, Belarus.
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