Manchester City have confirmed the signing of centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens, making the 20-year-old their first January signing transfer window.
Khusanov, who will become the first player from Uzbekistan to feature in the Premier League, is said to cost around €40m (£33.6m). The long-term deal promises to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until at least the summer of 2029.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” Khusanov told his new team. official website.
“This team is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play with them. And of course, Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I’m very excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.
“This is a very proud moment for me and my family to join a great club like Manchester City and I am more than ready for this challenge.”
City sporting director Txiki Begiristain highlighted Khusanov’s intelligence for a player with relatively little senior experience, as well as strength, aggression and speed as key attributes.
“Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving,” said the Spaniard, who will be replaced Hugo Viana in the summerhe added.
Khusanov chose to wear City’s number 45 shirt, which was made famous by former striker Mario Balotelli and was also once worn by Micah Richards. He wore 25 on his back in Lens, but 45 was his shirt at first club Energetik-BGU, from Minsk, Belarus.
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