Khusanov on joining Manchester City: ‘I’m more than ready for this challenge’

Manchester City have signed defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Ligue 1 side RC Lens in a deal worth £33.8 million.

The 20-year-old joins from French club RC Lens, after committing to a four-and-a-half-year deal, which will see him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2029.

The Uzbekistan international has attained 18 national team caps and becomes the first player from his country to play in the Premier League.

The central defender began his professional career in Belarus playing for Energetik-BGU, before moving to Ligue 1 in 2023, making 31 appearances for RC Lens.

Upon signing for the Premier League Champions, Khusanov says he is excited to get to improve under Pep Guardiola:

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

“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 join a great club like Manchester City and I’m more than ready for this challenge.”

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “We are very happy that he has joined us and we are all very excited about what he will bring. For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, 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.”

Khusanov will be unavailable for City’s remaining Champions League matches but could debut against Chelsea this weekend.