Manchester City have signed defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33.5 million.
The centre-back has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League champions, which also includes the option of a further year until June 2030.
The move will help City secure much-needed defensive reinforcement after suffering several injury problems this season, including setbacks for centre-backs John Stones and Ruben Dias.
Khusanov becomes the first player from Uzbekistan to sign for a Premier League club after being capped 18 times.
Lens reportedly paid just £84,000 for Khusanov from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU 18 months ago.
Khusanov has made 16 appearances for Lens under boss Will Still this season, scoring his first goal for the club against Paris Saint-Germain.
“I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” the defender said on the Manchester City website.
“Pep Guardiola is one of the best coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even further.”
Khusanov becomes the first player from Uzbekistan to appear in the Premier League.
The defender's debut will take the number of countries represented in the competition since its rebranding in 1992 to 126, with Uzbekistan becoming the 19th with just one player.
Luiz also a target for Man City's return
With Khusanov in, Douglas Luiz is now among the names on the list of Manchester City's midfield targets.
The club are exploring options in the market for a new number 6 and he is one of many they are exploring. Luiz was under contract with Etihad from 2017 to 2019, but spent that time on loan at Spanish side Girona.
Interest could increase if Juventus are willing to agree to a six-month loan without permanent transfer clauses.
It is not certain that City will make an addition to this position in this window, but it is a possibility if the deal suits them.
Sky Sports News have already reported that they will not pursue Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, who is closing in on a move to Arsenal this summer, nor Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes.
Luiz is expected to leave Juventus in some capacity this month and the former Aston Villa star wants to return to the Premier League.
Only last summer did he switch to Juve.
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