“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” Khusanov said. “This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them.

The Athletic reported that Khusanov attracted interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, and they will disappointed to miss out on a coveted young centre-back. City have conceded more goals than any team in the top six of the Premier League, who will all be interested to see if this signing can improve a porous back line.

Manchester City have signed Uzbekistan central defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Ligue 1 side Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the Premier League club announced on Monday. British media said City had paid a transfer fee of 40 million euros ($41.