Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens on a deal that extends through to 2029.
The promising centre-back joins the Premier League giants for a reported fee of £33.6 million, bolstered by potential additional payments.
Previously with Belarusian outfit Energetik-BGU, where Lens acquired him for a modest £84,000 just 18 months ago, Khusanov has demonstrated remarkable growth.
His performances in Ligue 1, culminating in a pivotal goal against Paris St-Germain in a French Cup encounter last December, have caught the eye of top European clubs.
Khusanov, who has been capped 18 times by Uzbekistan, will break new ground as the first Uzbekistani player in the Premier League.
“Joining a squad with some of the world’s finest players is incredibly exciting, and I am eager to learn from Pep Guardiola, one of the most revered managers in football,” Khusanov expressed.
City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, praised the 20-year-old’s intellect and physical attributes, noting his strength, speed, and aggression as key assets.
This acquisition comes as Guardiola seeks to revitalise his squad amidst a challenging season, with City currently trailing league leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
The team demonstrated their lethal capability with a 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town, their largest Premier League win this season.
The focus now shifts to their crucial Champions League match against PSG in Paris, where victory is vital for their aspirations of advancing to the knockout stages.
