Rob Dawson, correspondent
Manchester City they have finished signing Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
City have agreed a deal worth 40 million euros ($41.6 million) plus add-ons for the 20-year-old, who has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Khusanov, who was given the number 45 shirt, is expected to become the first Uzbek to play in First league.
“I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to join Manchester City, a club I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” said Khusanov.
“This team has some 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 of all time and I am very excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.
“It is a very proud moment for me and my family to join such a great club as Manchester City and I am more than ready for the challenge.”
Khusanov is City’s first signing of the January window. He will be followed by Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis i Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush.
Khusanov has only been playing for Lens for 18 months, since joining the team in 2023. He made 31 appearances for the French team and was capped 18 times Uzbekistan.
“We are very happy that he has joined us and we are all very excited about what he will bring,” said city director of football Txiki Begiristain.
“For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as strong, aggressive and extremely fast. Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to continue to improve.”
