Next stop Manchester City: Khusanov ‘the train’ back on track after bumpy journey

The 20-year-old, who is set to join Premier League champions, had to move to Belarus to reignite his career after rejection in Uzbekistan

Abdukodir Khusanov was born on 29 February and he is, without a doubt, a rarity. In four years the defender has gone from being discarded in his home country of Uzbekistan to play for a small club in Belarus before, this month, agreeing to join Manchester City from Lens in a £33.5m deal. Pending a medical, he will become the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League but – because of his success – perhaps not the last.

The nation has been captivated by Khusanov’s rise and delighted that he is now joining the Premier League champions. It is a huge source of pride. “Abdukodir means almighty in the Uzbek language, and it suits him,” says the Championat.asia editor Narzulla Saidullaev. “He is also nicknamed “the train” here because of his raw power and has become the most famous person in the country. Even people who know nothing about football talk about him. Only two Uzbek footballers have played in major European leagues before – both in Italy. Ilyas Zeytullaev at the beginning of the century and Eldor Shomurodov at Roma at the moment. Now we have a star in England and it is a very big story. Many millions of Uzbeks are going to watch Khusanov’s matches.”