Manchester City Strengthens Defense with Uzbek Khosanov from Lens


Manchester City, the Premier League champions, bolstered their defense by announcing the signing of Uzbek Abdulkadir Khosanov from French club Lens in a deal worth "approximately €50 million," according to a source close to the latter.  



City stated in a press release: "Manchester City is delighted to announce the signing of Abdulkadir Khosanov from Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal. The Uzbek international will join Pep Guardiola's squad for the second half of the 2024-2025 season, with the contract tying him to the club until the summer of 2029."  


Lens, in turn, bid farewell to the 20-year-old with a post on "X" that read: "He arrived quietly but conquered Artois (the region where Lens is located in northern France) with his vibrant defensive moves and ideal mentality... Wishing him a happy journey."  


Khosanov joined Lens in the summer of 2023 from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young defenders. According to City's statement, "Despite being only 20 years old, the center-back has already played 18 matches for his national team and helped Uzbekistan make a strong start in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup for the first time in history."  


City quoted the player expressing his excitement about starting his journey as the first Uzbek international to play in the Premier League after moving to the Etihad Stadium. He said, "I am very happy to join Manchester City, a club I’ve enjoyed watching for a long time."  


He added: "This team is filled with the best players in the world, and I can't wait to meet them and play alongside them. Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the world, and I am excited to learn from him and further improve my game."  


He continued: "It’s a moment of great pride for me and my family to join such a great team like Manchester City, and I am more than ready for this challenge."