Defender Abdukodir Khusanov is poised to become the first Uzbek football player to play in England’s Premier League, widely regarded as the most high-profile and toughest soccer league in the world. On January 20, he signed for Manchester City F.C. in a deal football media understand to be worth €40m (£33.8m) plus add‑ons.

Twenty-year-old centre-back Khusanov, an Uzbek international with 18 caps nicknamed “The Train” in Uzbekistan because of his raw power, has had a meteoric rise. City are buying him from French club Lens, which only paid €100,000 for Khusanov when they purchased him from Belarusian club Energetik‑BGU in July 2023.

Khusanov began his football career at Bunyodkor academy in Tashkent at the age of seven or eight. Initially playing in various positions, including as right-back and as striker, Khusanov was moved to the reserves at 17 years-old due to concerns about his physical strength.

Disappointed, he and his father sought alternatives to progress his career. That led to the Belarus move in 2021. 

Championat.asia editor Narzulla Saidullaev told the Guardian that Khusanov has become the most famous person in Uzbekistan, saying: “Even people who know nothing about football talk about him. Only two Uzbek footballers have played in major European leagues before – both in Italy… Now we have a star in England and it is a very big story. Many millions of Uzbeks are going to watch Khusanov’s matches.”

"I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” Khusanov said following the confirmation of his signing on a four-and-a-half-year contract. “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, [City team manager] 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.”

City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, spoke highly of the young defender, noting his potential and impressive qualities. “We are very happy that he has joined us, and we are all very excited about what he will bring. 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.”

Khusanov's transfer fee surpasses the previous record set for an Uzbek player by Eldor Shomurodov, who moved from Genoa to Roma in 2021 for €18mn.

At Energetik-BGU, Khusanov spent a year training before he was able to sign a professional contract at the age of 18. He became a key player for the club, helping them finish second in the league in 2022. His performances led to a call-up to Uzbekistan’s U20 team, where he played a role in their 2023 Asian Cup victory.

Khusanov’s performances in Belarus gained wider attention after the Asian Cup and in July 2023, he transferred to Lens, where he impressed with his ability to play in multiple defensive positions.