City Sign Uzbekistan’s Rising Star
Manchester City have announced the signing of Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov from Ligue 1 club RC Lens. The deal, reportedly worth €40 million (£33.8m) plus add-ons, marks the 20-year-old as the first player from Uzbekistan to join a Premier League club. Khusanov has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.

Khusanov's Excitement to Join City

Upon completing his move, Khusanov expressed his enthusiasm:

“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.

“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.”

City’s Vision for Khusanov

Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised the young defender’s potential:

“We are very happy that he has joined us and are excited about what he will bring.

“For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive, and extremely quick. Working with Pep will only make him better, and he is determined to keep improving.

“He is a really exciting signing as we aim to keep progressing to maintain one of the best squads in Europe.”

Khusanov’s Career So Far

• Early Career: Began his professional journey with Energetik-BGU in Belarus.
• Ligue 1 Stint: Moved to RC Lens in 2023, making 31 appearances.
• International Experience: Capped 18 times by Uzbekistan.

City’s Ambitions with Khusanov

As Khusanov dons the number 45 shirt, Manchester City continue to solidify their squad depth with young talent, reflecting their ambition to remain among Europe’s elite clubs. Under Guardiola’s guidance, Khusanov’s development is expected to soar, making him a key asset for the future.