Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan national football team defender Abdukodir Khusanov has stated that he joined Manchester City with the goal of developing as a player and winning trophies.

Abdukodir Khusanov gave his first interview after officially transferring from French club Lens to Manchester City. In the interview, he shared his motivation, journey into professional football, and the significance of this transfer both for himself and for Uzbekistan.

The 20-year-old defender, who signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City, emphasized that his primary goal is personal growth and winning trophies. "I came here to grow, develop, and also to win trophies with Manchester City. This is one of the top teams in the world, and the coach is one of the best, and that is why I am here," Khusanov said.

He also shared his football journey, which began in Uzbekistan. "I started at the Tashkent club, then moved to the Bunyodkor academy. After that, I went to Belarus, where I began my professional career at Energetik-BGU, and later moved to France," Khusanov explained.

His move to Lens marked an important stage in his career, where he played 31 matches and established himself as a fast and physically strong central defender, attracting the attention of top European clubs.

The move to Manchester City holds particular significance for Khusanov as he becomes the first Uzbek footballer to play in the English Premier League. "This is a great honor not only for me but also for my family and my country. I am sure this is just the beginning, and in the future, other Uzbek players will join the Premier League," he said.

Khusanov also highlighted the growing interest in football in Uzbekistan, where more and more people are aspiring to succeed on the international stage. "Everyone in Uzbekistan dreams of making it to the World Cup, we are just one step away from qualifying," added the defender.