Manchester City: Abdukodir Khusanov signs new five-year deal until 2031

Hupu July 25th – Abdukodir Khusanov has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City Football Club, keeping him at the club until 2031.

The Uzbekistan international center-back joined the club in January 2025 and has been outstanding in his first 18 months in English football.

Now 22 years old, he has grown in confidence and ability, eventually becoming one of the most trusted players in the squad during the 2025/26 season. In the second half of the season, he formed a solid center-back partnership with Marc Guéhi, starting 16 of the team's final 19 Premier League matches and playing a key role in the finals that won the FA Cup and League Cup.

With only 47 appearances for City so far, Khusanov – thanks to his lightning speed and excellent tackling ability – has become one of the most eye-catching young stars in the Premier League and a hugely popular fan favorite at the Etihad Stadium. He was among the final three candidates for the 2025/26 Etihad Player of the Year award, narrowly losing out to academy graduate Nico O'Reilly.

At the same time, he played a crucial role in helping his home country, Uzbekistan, qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in their history.

His rapid growth both on and off the pitch has now been recognized and rewarded with this new contract.

Khusanov's Reaction

After signing the new deal, Khusanov said:

"This is a great day for me and my family – I am very happy to extend my career at Manchester City. Since arriving in Manchester, I have enjoyed every minute here, and I feel I am constantly growing and learning as a player.

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"Now I have a new challenge: to impress Enzo Maresca and his coaching staff with my performances and secure my place in the starting lineup. I am determined to do that.

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"Thank you to the City fans for their continued support. It has been very important to me during my adaptation to England and the Premier League. Now I am only looking forward. I am ready to do everything I can to help this club achieve as much success as possible."

Football Director's Comments

Football Director Hugo Viana added:

"We are very pleased and impressed with the progress Abdukodir has made since arriving in England. We have seen him grow into an excellent young man and an outstanding defender – but we know this is just the beginning.

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"His physical and technical attributes are top-notch, and he has all the qualities needed to become a world-class center-back. He is only 22 years old, his best years are ahead of him, and his potential to become even better is clear for everyone to see.

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"That is why we are very happy that he has signed a new contract with Manchester City, and we hope he will become an important part of Enzo's plans in the years to come."

Everyone at Manchester City congratulates Abdukodir on signing his new contract.

Background: From Unknown to Fan Favorite

To be honest, before Abdukodir Khusanov joined Manchester City in January 2025, few regular City fans knew much about him. Considering that less than two years earlier, he was still playing in the Belarusian league, and that he would be the first Uzbekistani player to appear in the Premier League, there were many unknowns at the time.

Just 18 months later, although still early in his career, Khusanov's quality is now beyond doubt. He possesses foot speed comparable to an Olympic athlete and upper body strength to match any strong forward in modern football. It is clear he has all the physical attributes to succeed in English football.

After a difficult debut, he earned five more Premier League starts in the 2024/25 season – including important victories against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. There was much to learn during this period, especially when and how to best utilize his talents, but Pep Guardiola and his teammates were full of praise for his ability to absorb information and his dedication.

But it was the second half of the just-concluded season that truly made him stand out and show his warrior spirit. At the start of the 2025/26 season, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were the preferred defensive partnership, but when both were injured in the same match, Khusanov bravely stepped up to take on the responsibility.

He missed only 3 of the remaining Premier League games; defeated Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Chelsea in the FA Cup; and played every minute of the League Cup from the quarter-finals onwards.

His astonishing speed even allowed City to push their defensive line higher, as it was clear that if possession was lost and an over-the-top ball was played, the number 45 could outpace any opponent in a straight sprint. This scenario played out many times, and the Etihad crowd responded each time with chants of "Khuuuuuus."

Indeed, he quickly became a local fan favorite and a superstar for visitors from his Central Asian homeland – where he is hailed as a hero for leading the national team to a historic World Cup qualification. Although the North American World Cup journey ended abruptly for Uzbekistan, the trajectory of his country's football, his personal star power, and his development on the pitch are all clearly moving in the same direction – upwards.

Source: Manchester City Official Website