LONDON: Manchester City have signed Uzbekistan central defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Ligue 1 side Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

British media said City had paid a transfer fee of £33.6m for 20-year-old Khusanov, who has played in 13 of Lens’ 16 league games this season.

A City statement said: “For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick.”

Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, said Khusanov is already “very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick”.

Khusanov has 18 caps for Uzbekistan and will become the first player from the country to play in the Premier League.

“This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them,” said Khusanov. “Also 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.”

Khusanov joined Lens from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU Minsk in 2023, playing 31 matches for the French team in all competitions.

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