Manchester City Announces Signing Of Uzbek Defender Khusanov From Lens

Manchester City has officially announced the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The international defender from Uzbekistan will be joining Pep Guardiola’s team for the second half of the 2024/25 season, with a contract securing his association with the Club until the summer of 2029.

Khusanov joined French side Lens from Belarusian Club Energetik-BGU in the summer of 2023 and has established himself as one of the most exciting young defenders in Ligue 1.

Only 20 years old, the centre-back already has 18 appearances for his country and has helped Uzbekistan make a strong start in their challenge to qualify for a first World Cup, in 2026.

And he is thrilled at the opportunity to become the first Uzbek international to play in the Premier League following his move to the Etihad Stadium.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” he said.

“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.”

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain expresses enthusiasm about the defender’s significant potential and is thrilled that he is transferring to the Etihad.

“We are very happy that he has joined us, and we are all very excited about what he will bring,” Begiristain said.

“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.

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

Quick and strong

A speedy and robust defender, Khusanov has quickly risen to become one of Ligue 1’s best young defenders after just 31 appearances at Lens.

Standing over six feet tall, he is prepared to prioritize defense, with his physicality enabling him to excel in one-on-one duels against some of the top strikers competing in France.

His decision-making and positional play, along with his precision timing, made scouts from around the world take notice of his potential.

Right-footed, Khusanov can play on either side as a center-back and is equally effective working in a back three, which City often uses when attacking with a full-back moving into midfield.

And like all the defenders at Guardiola’s disposal, he’s relaxed with the ball at his feet and should fit comfortably into our possession-based style.

After breaking into the Lens first team following his move from Belarus, he was able to quickly establish himself in the side as they finished seventh in Ligue 1.

They are currently in the same position although defensively, only leaders Paris Saint-Germain have conceded fewer goals.

Asked about Khusanov earlier in the season, Lens head coach Will Still said, “He’s calm, powerful, he’s fast… He doesn’t talk [in French] but he’s good. He has very, very impressive potential.”

His former teammates were impressed with his impact; goalkeeper Bryce Samba said following a 0-0 draw with Nice in September.

“He’s a monster, what he did again tonight… He scares me. No, really! For his age, what he does…”

Then, in October, he was named Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Month.

The signing of Khusanov represents an exciting acquisition of a player who is already demonstrating significant potential at such an early stage in his career.