OFFICIAL: Man City seal €40m deal for Khusanov from Lens

Abdukodir Khusanov is a new Manchester City player. The reigning Premier League champions have finalised the transfer for the 20-year-old defender, who arrives at the Etihad after less than two seasons at Lens. 

City set their sights on Khusanov from the opening of the January window as he was deemed the ideal profile to bolster the defence in the second half of the season and beyond with injury concerns continuing to hamper Pep Guardiola's side.

Newcastle and Tottenham were also in the race for the Uzbekistan international, however, City were always ahead of their English rivals in negotiations with the French side, which ended once an agreement was reached for a deal worth €40million plus add-ons.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” said Khusanov, who has 18 international caps. “This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them".

 

January 20, 2025

He also shared his excitement to play under Guardiola: "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," he concluded.

Club director of football Txiki Begiristain also shared his thoughts on the new arrival: "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, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving".

Khusanov, renowned for his brutish strength and fiercely competitive nature, has penned the contract to see him stay with the Citizens until 2029, making him the first Uzbek to land in the English top-flight. He will wear the No 45 shirt, famously worn by Mario Balotelli.