Transfer Market: Manchester City officially sign Uzbek defender
Abdukodir Khusanov swaps Ligue 1 side Lens for Pep Guardiola’s side; first signing of January transfer window

€40 million deal. Manchester City made official on Monday afternoon the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov , a 20-year-old Uzbek central defender, recruited from French side Lens , currently 7th in Ligue 1 .
Abdukodir Khusanov will be the first player born in Uzbekistan to play in the Premier League , having signed a contract valid for four and a half seasons with the citizens, that is, until 2029.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City , a club I have been a fan of 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,” Khusanov said in his first official statements, also praising the new coach.
“Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches of all time and I am excited to learn from him and improve my game even further,” he said, speaking of a “very proud moment” for him and his entire family.
Abdukodir Khusanov joined Lens in 2023 and has made 31 appearances. Capped 18 times by Uzbekistan , he was described by Manchester City ‘s current sporting director , Txiki Begiristain, as a “very intelligent, strong, aggressive and extremely fast” centre-back.
After the official signing of Abdukodir Khusanov , the citizens are now preparing to officialise defender Vítor Reis, signed from Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras , and also forward Omar Marmoush , recruited from Eintracht Frankfurt .