Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal, according to the official website of the club.

Khusanov chooses to wear No.45 shirt!

The Uzbekistan international defender will join up with Pep Guardiola’s squad for the second part of the 2024/25 season, with his contract keeping him tied to 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 says the defender has huge potential and is delighted he is moving 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,” he added.