The "Manchester City" club published an article about Abduqodir Husanov that has not been published anywhere else
“Manchester City” club published an article on its social media page enriched with previously unpublished information about the young footballer Abduqodir Husanov, who quickly captured the hearts of the team's fans, along with family photos and memories from those who know him best. The “Zamin” publication presents this article about our compatriot in full.
We take a look at the journey of the young footballer who has found a place in the hearts of “Manchester City” fans through never-before-published family photos and memories from those who know him well...
Five days. In that time, Abduqodir Husanov became a player for “Manchester City” and celebrated his debut in a match against “Chelsea”.
This young defender, who is still only 20 years old, quickly joined the starting lineup due to a defensive crisis at the club, forcing Pep Guardiola to include a player with only 31 high-level matches under his belt and limited English proficiency.
Before the third minute of his debut was up, Husanov's unclear pass caused problems for goalkeeper Ederson, and taking advantage of this opportunity, Nikolya Jackson passed the ball to Noni Madueke, putting “Chelsea” ahead 1-0.
Just a minute later, the first Uzbek footballer to debut in the English Premier League made a mistake and received a yellow card.
Photo: Manchester City
Any true football fan watching these events could feel Husanov's mental state. When the cameras closely captured his face, millions of viewers might have sensed that he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole in those moments.
The situation could have worsened, but it did not. With the help of his teammates, coach, and fans, he composed himself, got into the game, and continued with determination. When he was substituted for John Stones in the 54th minute, the stadium erupted with supportive cheers.
If “City” fans needed to know something about the young defender from Tashkent, it was that he was resilient and had a true warrior's heart.
Photo: Manchester City
A week later, he remained on the bench in a match against “Arsenal”. The following week, he came on in the second half against “Leyton Orient” and scored his first goal for “City”. After that, as he fought fiercely in front of the fans, they supported him with high spirits.
Five weeks later, Husanov played consecutively in high-level matches, facing stars like Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Son Heung-min, and Chris Wood, proving to be a worthy opponent. He was also recognized as the Player of the Month at “Etihad”.
This marked a fantastic beginning to his life at “City”. Fans looked at him with great respect, accepting him as their Uzbek warrior.
Photo: Manchester City
Of course, this is still just the beginning. He needs time to fully understand and develop his game, but many have begun to sense that this Uzbek talent is a true gem for “Manchester City”. His close ones call him “Qodir”... and this is the story of his journey until he arrived at “Etihad”!
A new, yet still unknown talent...
Before Abduqodir Husanov moved to “Manchester City” in January 2025, many did not have much information about him.
When football teams transfer players from abroad, YouTube becomes a real source for fans. Users try to find existing videos about that player.
Those who found Husanov's videos would see that he is a quick footballer who moves hard and precisely, truly loving defense. He is simply a defender who sees defending as more than life itself.
However, he had very little experience in big football. The country he came from was not well-known in football, so it could be possible for him to connect with “Manchester City”, but it was hard to believe. Only if the club was acquiring a player for the future could this transfer logically make sense.
Would a footballer coming from a very young and newly emerging country truly join the ranks of English champions? To find the answer to this question, we need to look back at his first steps in Tashkent...
“Football is in his blood...”
Abduqodir Husanov is the son of former Uzbekistan national team player Hikmatjon Hoshimov. Some may wonder why Abduqodir did not take his father's surname.
Young Abduqodir Husanov
Photo: Manchester City
Photo: Manchester City
This is rooted in Uzbek traditions.
Young Husanov
Photo: Manchester City
In Uzbekistan, it is customary for fathers to give their children surnames in honor of their grandfathers. Since Abduqodir's grandfather was named Husan, his father gave him the surname Husanov. This is still a widely practiced tradition in Uzbekistan.
Young Abduqodir Husanov and former player Hikmat Hoshimov
Photo: Manchester City
First steps in childhood football
Abduqodir began his first steps in football at “Bunyodkor”, one of the strongest football academies in the country. Outside Uzbekistan, many know “Bunyodkor” because of the legendary Brazilian player Rivaldo, who scored 42 goals in 72 matches for this club between 2008 and 2010.
Photo: Manchester City
“Husanov joined “Bunyodkor” at the age of seven,” says his first coach Sergey Chigodayev.
Photo: Manchester City
“Even at that time, he had amazing speed – he could leave behind footballers one or two years older than him. Speed is very important in football because it comes naturally. Improving speed through training is not easy.”
Photo: Manchester City
Husanov played alongside older footballers for several years. He played in the team of players born in 2002-2003, even though he himself was born on February 29, 2004. For this reason – as Chigodayev points out – although Husanov was physically smaller, he quickly became stronger. He had no other choice since he was always the youngest player on the team.
Abduqodir's brother Abdurahim Husanov and Hikmat Hoshimov
Photo: Manchester City
“From childhood, it was clear that Abduqodir had great talent,” says Chigodayev.
Photo: Manchester City
“But talent needs to be developed correctly. In football, you cannot achieve great success with just talent. Husanov has talent, hard work, discipline, and proper upbringing. When I told him what to do on the field, he would never argue and would do everything.”
“Abduqodir never argues, he has always been very humble. Nevertheless, when he stepped onto the field, he would spark! He never gives up, even against those older than him.”
“No matter how great his success, Abduqodir has always remained humble and polite. Whether he played for “Lans” or now for “Manchester City”, it has not affected his personality.”
“A shining talent...”
At the age of 17, Husanov headed to Belarus to join the “Energetik-BGU” club. There, he spent a year only participating in training and playing in friendly matches while waiting to turn 18. In March 2022, he debuted for the team known as “Talabalar” (the nickname of “Energetik-BGU”).
Qodir – in 2019
Abduqodir immediately became one of the key players of the team. In his first season, he played in 27 out of 30 matches and was a full-time starter in almost all games. He also scored three goals and provided four assists – not a bad statistic for a central defender.
He also took penalties and scored from free kicks.
In the summer of 2022, Husanov was called up to the Uzbekistan U20 national team.
Before that, he had only played for the U17 team. By March 2023, Husanov had become one of the leaders of the Uzbekistan youth national team and won the FIFA U20 Asian Cup together with his compatriots in Tashkent.
Uzbekistan U-20 team
Photo: Manchester City
He played in all matches of the tournament and helped the team to victory. Interestingly, all of this took place at the “Bunyodkor” stadium where his football career began. Two months later, Husanov traveled with the Uzbekistan U20 team to the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Every top footballer's career has a lucky turning point, and Husanov is no exception.
Initially, the FIFA U20 World Cup was supposed to be held in Indonesia, but shortly before the tournament began, the host country announced it would boycott the competition. As a result, the championship was moved to Argentina, and Uzbekistan faced the new hosts in the group stage.
A new star was born. U-20 World Cup
Photo: Manchester City
Scouts from European clubs mainly came to watch talented players from the host team – Maximino Perrone, Valentin Carboni, and Matias Sule. However, despite a 2:1 defeat, Abduqodir Husanov caught their attention.
The scout from France's “Lans” was very impressed with his performance. Representatives from “Manchester United” and several other European clubs also showed interest in his talent.
Even a scout from an English Premier League club found Husanov's agent, Gayrat Hasbiullin, and stated that his team would be a good fit for the player, but this transfer did not materialize.
Lessons in France...
Several weeks after the conclusion of the FIFA U20 World Cup, Abduqodir Husanov transferred to “Lans”. During the presentation ceremony dedicated to him, the French club announced him as “unstoppable talent from Asia”. The transfer fee was 100,000 euros – not a large amount, but a very beneficial and wise investment for a Ligue 1 club.
“Lans” life – Qodir's contract with the Ligue 1 club
“We studied Husanov thoroughly before the transfer,” says “Lans” head coach Frank Haise. “I saw him not as a 19-year-old, but as a 25-year-old experienced player. He acted like a mature and experienced footballer. In training, we saw what he was capable of. He amazed us with his technique and physical strength. We have other young players, but Husanov always stood out with his calmness.”
This was a very rapid period of change for the young 19-year-old defender.
In the summer of 2023, Husanov was called up to the Uzbekistan national team for the first time.
After his debut against Oman, he secured his place in the starting lineup and has played 18 matches for the national team to date.
In his first season at “Lans”, Qodir participated in 15 matches.
Although he was not a regular starter, he always played confidently and determinedly whenever he stepped onto the field. The famous French sports publication “L'Equipe” included him in the Ligue 1 weekly team of the week several times.
In the summer of 2024, Husanov became an important player for “Lans”.
At that time, Austrian defender Kevin Danso was expected to transfer to “Roma”, but due to medical issues, this deal did not go through. As a result, Danso returned to “Lans”, but could not play due to the treatment process. Husanov still had little experience, but his coach trusted him – and he justified that trust.
In October 2024, Husanov was recognized as the best young player in Ligue 1.
By the end of the first half of the 2024/2025 season, with 16 matches and one assist, he was included in the best team of the current Ligue 1 season.
By this time, “Manchester City” had shown serious interest in him. In the January 2025 transfer window, “City” acted quickly, signing him ahead of several competing clubs. This transfer is already being regarded as a very successful deal.
Husanov's path differs from many players coming to the Premier League.
As the first Uzbek footballer to play in the Premier League, millions of fans protecting their homeland are watching every step he takes. If there are other talented young players like Husanov in Uzbekistan, he may be the first to take this path, but not the last.
A brave warrior on the field, a humble and calm person off the field – “City” fans may witness a remarkable career beginning.
Author: David Clayton
Nodirbek
