Man City bolster defensive ranks with Khusanov signing from Lens

Manchester City have made their first signing of the January transfer window, welcoming highly rated Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov to the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Khusanov, who has made 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season, joins the Premier League champions on a four-and-a-half-year contract for a reported £33.5million fee.

The 20-year-old became the first player from Uzbekistan to sign for a Premier League club, having been capped by his country 18 times since his debut in June 2023.

Khusanov’s arrival offers Guardiola some much-needed back-up to his defensive ranks, with the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones having missed parts of the season with injury.

Across his Ligue 1 appearances for Will Still’s side this season, no player made more interceptions for Lens than Khusanov (26), with his move to City another step in his promising career.

Lens reportedly only paid £84,000 for Khusanov from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU 18 months ago.

We’re delighted to announce the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov pic.twitter.com/ltXMbzm3TK

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 20, 2025

The defender’s debut will take the number of nations represented in the competition, since its rebranding in 1992, to 126 and Uzbekistan will be the 19th with just a single player.

“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.

“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.”