Manchester City have confirmed the signing of centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens, making the 20-year-old their first new arrival of January. tRANSFER window.
Khusanov, who will become the first player from Uzbekistan to make a Premier League appearance, is reported to have cost around €40m (£33.6m). A long-term contract promises to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until at least the summer of 2029.
“I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester City, a club I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” Khusanov said of his new team. the official website.
“This team 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 in history and I'm very excited to learn from him. him and improve my game even more.
“This is a very proud moment for me and my family that we are joining a great club like Manchester City and I am more than ready for this challenge”.
City sporting director Txiki Begiristain highlighted Khusanov's intelligence for a player with relatively little senior experience, as well as strength, aggression and speed as key attributes.
“Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving,” said the Spaniard, who will be. replaced by Hugo Viana in the summeradded.
Khusanov has chosen to wear City's number 45 shirt, made famous by former striker Mario Balotelli and once previously occupied by Micah Richards. He wore 25 on his back in Lens, but 45 was his shirt at first club Energetik-BGU, from Minsk in Belarus.