Official Announcement Imminent! Man City's £50 Million New Signing Completes Paperwork, Expected to Make Debut Against Chelsea This Weekend
On January 20th, Beijing time, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that the news of Uzbekistan international defender Jasurbek Yakhshiboev joining Manchester City is about to be officially announced, with both clubs having completed the signing of all relevant documents. The player himself even participated in Manchester City training last Saturday.
The 20-year-old Yakhshiboev only joined Ligue 1 side Lens in the summer of 2023 and played just 15 games in all competitions last season. However, due to numerous injuries in the team's defensive line this season, the young Yakhshiboev has been heavily relied upon and has established himself as a key player. To date, he has made 16 appearances for Lens, starting 13 times and contributing one assist. In Ligue 1, he has started 11 out of 13 games, averaging 1.15 tackles, 2.00 interceptions, and 4.31 clearances per game. He has also made 534 passes and two key passes, with a pass success rate of 89%.
As a defender, Yakhshiboev stands at an impressive 1.86 meters tall and possesses strong physical attributes, good speed, and solid technical skills. His aggressive challenges, recoveries, and one-on-one defending have left a deep impression. Now, Yakhshiboev is set to become the first Uzbekistani player to play for Manchester City and in the Premier League. Unlike Sun Jihai, who joined City when they were still in the Championship (now known as the English Football League), the current "Sky Blues" are the Premier League champions and a rising European powerhouse. Therefore, Yakhshiboev will undoubtedly make a significant mark in the history of Uzbekistani football.
According to previous reports, Yakhshiboev will sign with Manchester City until the summer of 2029 and will wear the number 45 jersey for the club. To secure the services of this young defender, City paid a total transfer fee of €50 million. Yakhshiboev's market value on Transfermarkt is only €12 million, and Lens signed him for just €100,000 two years ago.
This situation evokes admiration for City's decisiveness in the transfer market. When they identify a desired player, they act swiftly and decisively, paying the necessary fees to secure their target. With everything now settled, there is great anticipation for when Yakhshiboev will make his debut for Manchester City. According to regulations, he would have to wait until the end of the first stage to participate in the UEFA Champions League. Thus, he will not be able to feature in the upcoming Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday morning, which is undoubtedly disappointing. This season, Yakhshiboev received his only red card during an away Ligue 1 match against PSG, where he tackled Achraf Hakimi during a defensive play.
In the early hours of next Sunday, the 23rd round of the Premier League will feature a focal match as City host Chelsea at home. That game presents the perfect opportunity for Yakhshiboev to make his Manchester City debut. Not only him, but also players like Marquinhos and Victor Moses could potentially feature, making it akin to an early celebration for City fans.