Man City have completed the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens in a deal worth £33million.
The central defender has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract with Pep Guardiola’s side, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to the campaign.
Speaking to the club website, Khusanov said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time.
‘This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them.
‘And 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.
‘This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great Club like Manchester City and I’m more than ready for this challenge.’
Man City have completed £33million signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens
Pep Guardiola is keen to bolster Manchester City’s back line after a torrid start to the campaign
The 20-year-old – who will wear the number 45 shirt for City, the same as Mario Balotelli used to wear – becomes the first Uzbeki to ever play in the Premier League.
Although only moving to Lens from Energetik-BGU in Belarus for under £100,000 last year, Khusanov is seen as somebody who can step up and impact City’s season.
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: ‘We are very happy that he has joined us and we are all very excited about what he will bring.
‘For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick.
‘Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving.
‘He is a really exciting signing as we aim to keep progressing to maintain one of the best squads in Europe.’
Mail Sport reported last month that the Premier League champions were hopeful of landing three or four new recruits in all areas of a squad grappling with a constant injury crisis.
The 20-year-old defender becomes the first Uzbeki to ever play in the Premier League
City continue negotiations with Palmeiras over teenage centre back Vitor Reis, while also holding positive talks with Frankfurt surrounding a move for striker Omar Marmoush.
Mail Sport revealed last month that Marmoush had emerged as a target in the forward areas and the 25-year-old can operate anywhere across the front three or as a foil for top scorer Erling Haaland.
Frankfurt, nine points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, are thought to be holding out for around £67m to allow the Egyptian to leave mid-season.
Meanwhile, Real Valladolid’s Jumah Bah remains a deal that City are working on and captain Kyle Walker is set to depart – with AC Milan favourites to land the right back after AC adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove the interest last week.