How Abdukodir Khusanov became the first Uzbek to reach the English Premier League
In short: Born in Tashkent, Abdukodir Khusanov has rapidly ascended from the Belarusian league to the pinnacle of English football. As the first player from Uzbekistan to join a Premier League club, his journey reflects a rising tide in Central Asian talent, marked by historic milestones for both player and country.
Abdukodir Khusanov’s professional trajectory began in the youth ranks of Bunyodkor before he moved to Belarus in 2022 to play for Energetik-BGU. His performance there quickly garnered international attention, leading to a transfer to the French club Lens in 2023. During his time in France, he broke new ground by becoming the first Uzbek to compete in Ligue 1 and, at 19 years and 9 months old, the youngest from his nation to feature in the UEFA Champions League.
The defender’s career reached a new height in January 2025 when he signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City for a reported fee of 40 million euros. This move established him as the first Uzbek athlete to play in the English Premier League. His impact was immediate, scoring his first goal for the club in an FA Cup match against Leyton Orient in February 2025. By July 2026, his contributions were solidified with a contract extension running until 2031.
Beyond his club success, Khusanov has been central to Uzbekistan’s international progress. He was a key member of the squad that secured the nation's first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification in June 2025. In 2026, he was named to the national team for their debut appearance in the tournament. His individual accolades, including being named to the IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year in 2023 and 2025, underscore his status as a trailblazer for Uzbek football on the global stage.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Abdukodir Khusanov
- Also: Wikidata — Abdukodir Khusanov · CC0
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