Manchester Metropolis have made their first signing of the January switch window, welcoming extremely 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 payment.
The 20-year-old grew to become the primary participant from Uzbekistan to signal for a Premier League membership, having been capped by his nation 18 occasions since his debut in June 2023.
Khusanov’s arrival presents Guardiola some much-needed back-up to his defensive ranks, with the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones having missed components of the season with damage.
Throughout his Ligue 1 appearances for Will Nonetheless’s aspect this season, no participant made extra interceptions for Lens than Khusanov (26), along with his transfer to Metropolis one other step in his promising profession.
Lens reportedly solely paid £84,000 for Khusanov from Belarusian membership Energetik-BGU 18 months in the past.
We’re delighted to announce the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov pic.twitter.com/ltXMbzm3TK
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) January 20, 2025
The defender’s debut will take the variety of nations represented within the competitors, since its rebranding in 1992, to 126 and Uzbekistan would be the nineteenth with only a single participant.
“I’m completely delighted to be becoming a member of Manchester Metropolis, a membership that I’ve loved watching for a very long time,” Khusanov stated.
“This squad is stuffed with one of the best gamers on the earth, and I can’t wait to fulfill them and play alongside them.
“And naturally, Pep Guardiola is without doubt one of the best coaches ever, and I’m so excited to be taught from him and enhance my recreation much more.
“This can be a very proud second for me and my household to be becoming a member of an excellent membership like Manchester Metropolis, and I’m greater than prepared for this problem.”