Abdukodir Khusanov Signs New Five-Year Deal with Manchester City
Manchester City have moved quickly to lock down one of their rising pillars in defence, with Abdukodir Khusanov signing a new five-year contract on Saturday.
At 22, the Uzbekistan international has already forced his way into the heart of a squad built to chase every major trophy. He arrived from Lens in January 2025 as a promising centre-back. He ends this week as part of the club’s long-term core.
Last season, Khusanov played his part in a City campaign that yielded both the FA Cup and the League Cup, and a second-place finish in the Premier League. In a side full of established stars, he didn’t just blend in. He belonged.
“This is a great day for me and my family. I am really happy to extend my stay at City,” he said, reflecting the sense of a young player who knows he has landed in the right place at the right time. “I’ve enjoyed every minute since I arrived in Manchester and I feel I am growing and learning a lot as a player.”
That growth has not gone unnoticed. City’s hierarchy see more than just a solid defender; they see a foundation piece.
“We’ve been really pleased and impressed by Abdukodir’s development since he arrived in England,” said director of football Hugo Viana. “We’re seeing him grow into a brilliant young man and an outstanding defender – but we know this is only the beginning. His physical and technical abilities are top, he has all the assets needed to be a world-class centre-back.
“At just 22, his best years are all in front of him and his potential to get even better is clear for all to see.”
The numbers back up the sense of momentum. Khusanov already has 30 caps for Uzbekistan and featured at the World Cup, starting all three of their Group K matches. He has tested himself on the biggest international stage and carried that composure back into club football.
Now comes a new test. A new voice in the dressing room. A new set of demands.
“I have a new challenge now, which is to impress (new manager) Enzo Maresca and his staff and ensure I am in his team regularly. I am determined to do that,” Khusanov said.
That line matters. At a club where competition for places is ruthless, the Uzbek defender knows a long contract guarantees security, not selection. Maresca will want centre-backs who can play on the front foot, defend high, and live with the ball at their feet. City clearly believe Khusanov fits that profile.
His extension also comes in a week that underlines City’s broader strategy. Just days earlier, Phil Foden committed his own future with a new four-year deal. One is a homegrown England forward, the other a World Cup defender from Central Asia. Both are being tied down for the peak years of their careers.
City are not just building for the next season. They are locking in the spine of what they hope will be their next great side.
Khusanov has his contract. He has his platform. Now he has to prove he can turn promise into dominance at the very top level.
