Abdukodir Khusanov Signs Five-Year Deal with Manchester City

Abdukodir Khusanov has committed his future to Manchester City, signing a new five-year deal that underlines both the club’s faith in him and his own belief that he is only just getting started.

The 22-year-old defender, who made history in January 2025 as the first Uzbek player to join a Premier League club, has quickly moved from intriguing signing to trusted first-team option. Thirty-seven appearances under Pep Guardiola in his first full season tell their own story.

“This is a great day for me and my family,” Khusanov said after putting pen to paper at the Etihad. “I am really happy to extend my stay at City. I've enjoyed every minute since I arrived in Manchester.”

He talks like a player who knows the bar has just been raised again.

“I feel I am growing and learning a lot as a player,” he said. “I have a new challenge now, which is to impress Enzo Maresca and his staff. I also want to ensure I am in his team regularly. I am determined to do that.”

The defender’s rise has been tied closely to City’s success. In his first full campaign he helped the club secure a domestic cup double and featured on the biggest domestic stage of all, playing in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals at Wembley. For a young player adapting to a new country, a new league and the demands of a treble-chasing squad, it has been a rapid education.

Khusanov is clear about who helped him settle.

“Thank you to the City fans for all of your support – it has been really important as I have settled in England and the Premier League,” he said. “Now I am only looking forward. I am ready to do everything I can to help this club be as successful as possible.”

Inside the club, there is no sense that this is a sentimental story. It is a strategic one. Director of football Hugo Viana’s assessment was blunt and bullish.

“We are seeing him grow into a brilliant young man and an outstanding defender, but we know this is only the beginning,” Viana said. “His physical and technical abilities are top. He has all the assets needed to be a world-class centre-back.

“At just 22 years old, his best years are all in front of him and his potential to get even better is clear for all to see.”

The message is obvious: City believe Khusanov is not just a useful squad option, but a long-term pillar of their back line. With a five-year contract signed and a new head coach in Enzo Maresca to impress, the Uzbek international now steps into the next phase of his career – no longer a trailblazer simply making history, but a defender expected to shape it.