On February 8, Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov scored his debut goal for English club Manchester City in a match against Leyton Orient. Having played only two games for his new team, he has already been included in the squad for the Champions League play-offs.
Khusanov joined the English club from French side Lens in January 2025 for €40 mln. His contract runs until 2029, with an annual salary of €3.5 mln. Kursiv Uzbekistan has compiled the key milestones of his career.
Family background
Abdukodir Khusanov was born on February 29, 2004 in Tashkent. He inherited his passion for football from his father, Hikmatjon Khashimov, a former professional footballer. Between 2007 and 2008, Khashimov played for Uzbekistan’s national team, with one of his most memorable matches being a 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan in the Alma TV Cup in 2007.
During his playing career, Khashimov secured notable victories, including winning the Uzbekistan Cup and the Super League title in the 2009/10 season. After retiring from professional football, he transitioned into coaching, working with young players at FC Bunyodkor’s academy in Tashkent.
When Abdukodir turned five, his family enrolled him in the football section of Toshkuch club and later at Bunyodkor’s academy. To avoid unnecessary pressure associated with his father’s name, he took his grandfather’s surname, Husanov.
«It was his father’s decision to give Abdukodir his grandfather’s surname. In Uzbekistan, many people are sensitive about ‘tanish-bilish’—nepotism. They wanted to shield Khusanov from speculation and allow him to develop in football the right way,» Sports.ru reports.
Until the age of sixteen, Khusanov trained at the academy, but upon graduation, he moved to Belarus, joining Energetik-BGU.
Move to Belarusian club Energetik-BGU
Khusanov joined the Minsk-based club in March 2022. Energetik was among the top five youngest clubs in Europe, with an average squad age of 21-22 years.
In his very first match against Vitebsk, he started in the first XI and played the full 90 minutes.
On May 2, he scored his first professional goal against Neman and provided two assists. Later that month, on May 29, he successfully converted a penalty against Slavia.
Husanov quickly caught the attention of experts. In August 2022, the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) named him among the most promising young players. By the end of the season, he had helped his team finish second in the league, earning a silver medal in the Belarusian Premier League.
In spring 2023, he was again recognised among the world’s best young defenders, ranking 15th in a list of under-20 talents. In the first half of the 2023 season, he played eight matches and scored one goal.
Transfer to Lens and Champions League debut
In the summer of 2023, reports emerged about Lens’ interest in Khusanov. On July 21, he signed a four-year contract with the French club for a transfer fee of just €100,000.
Husanov made his debut in France on September 16 against Metz, and on November 29, he played his first Champions League match against Arsenal.
By autumn 2024, his name was already linked with potential transfers to top clubs in England and France, including Chelsea, Tottenham, and Paris Saint-Germain. On December 22, 2024, he scored his first goal for Lens in the French Cup and was named the club’s Player of the Year.
International career with Uzbekistan
Khusanov has represented Uzbekistan at various youth levels. In 2023, he helped the under-20 team win the AFC U-20 Asian Cup and also participated in the U-20 World Cup, where his team reached the Round of 16.
In spring 2024, he played in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, where Uzbekistan reached the final but lost to Japan.
Khusanov made his senior debut for Uzbekistan in June 2023 during the CAFA Cup. In January 2024, he played in the AFC Asian Cup, helping his team reach the tournament’s play-offs after their opening match against Syria.
Move to Manchester City
In January 2025, Lens began negotiations with Manchester City. On January 20, Khusanov signed a contract with the English club until 2029. The transfer fee amounted to €40 mln (excluding bonuses), making him the first Uzbek footballer in Manchester City’s history and the English Premier League.
He made his debut on 25 January in a Premier League match against Chelsea, playing alongside Manuel Akanji. Despite some mistakes, his team secured a 3-1 victory.
On February 8, Abdukodir Khusanov scored his first goal for Manchester City in the FA Cup, finding the net against Leyton Orient.
