Manchester City has officially signed Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for a €40 million fee, with additional add-ons, making the young defender the first-ever Uzbekistan international to play in the Premier League. The 20-year-old’s debut will mark Uzbekistan as the 126th nation represented in the league since its rebranding in 1992, and only the 19th country with a single representative.
Here’s a look at some other trailblazing players who were the first and, so far, only representatives of their countries in the Premier League:
Pioneers of Premier League Representation
Dylan Kerr (Malta)
Kerr made five appearances for Leeds United during the Premier League’s inaugural 1992-93 season. Since then, no Maltese player has graced the competition.
Zesh Rehman (Pakistan)
Rehman, born in Birmingham, debuted for Fulham in 2004 and later represented Pakistan internationally, becoming the first player of Pakistani descent in the league.
Ali Al-Habsi (Oman)
Goalkeeper Al-Habsi began his Premier League career with Bolton Wanderers but is best remembered for his stellar performances at Wigan Athletic.
Gunnar Nielsen (Faroe Islands)
Nielsen briefly appeared for Manchester City in 2010, coming on as a substitute after Shay Given’s injury in a game against Arsenal.
Victor Wanyama (Kenya)
Wanyama, a dominant midfielder, made his mark with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, famously scoring a thunderous goal for Spurs against Liverpool in 2018.
Danny Higginbotham (Gibraltar)
Higginbotham, eligible for Gibraltar through his grandmother, played in the Premier League with clubs like Stoke City and Manchester United before representing Gibraltar in international football.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Armenia)
Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United in 2016, winning the Europa League and League Cup. He later moved to Arsenal in a high-profile swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez.
Frederic Nimani (Central African Republic)
The forward made two Premier League appearances for Burnley in 2010 while on loan from Monaco. He switched his international allegiance to the Central African Republic in 2018.
Neil Etheridge (Philippines)
Etheridge was Cardiff City’s standout goalkeeper during their 2018-19 campaign, becoming the first Filipino player in the Premier League.
Jordi Amat (Indonesia)
After playing for Swansea City from 2013 to 2017, Amat later represented Indonesia at the international level, making his debut in 2022.
Ryan Donk (Suriname)
Donk featured for West Bromwich Albion in the 2008-09 season before switching allegiance to Suriname a decade later.
Onel Hernandez (Cuba)
Hernandez played a pivotal role in Norwich City’s 2019-20 Premier League season, even scoring against Manchester United. He later debuted for Cuba in 2021.
Mbwana Samatta (Tanzania)
Samatta became Tanzania’s first Premier League player and goalscorer during his stint with Aston Villa, netting against Bournemouth in 2020.
Junior Firpo (Dominican Republic)
The Leeds United full-back, a key player under Marcelo Bielsa, has represented the Dominican Republic internationally.
Mahmoud Dahoud (Syria)
Dahoud, a former Brighton midfielder, switched his international allegiance to Syria after representing Germany in youth and friendly matches.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Guatemala)
Mendez-Laing scored multiple Premier League goals for Cardiff City in the 2018-19 season before making his international debut for Guatemala in 2023.
Ali Al-Hamadi (Iraq)
The Ipswich Town forward, who moved to England as a child, has represented Iraq 14 times on the international stage.
Hamza Choudhury (Bangladesh)
Choudhury, born in Loughborough, chose to represent Bangladesh in 2023, citing the overwhelming support he received from fans in the country.
Khusanov’s Historic Moment
Khusanov’s entry into the Premier League is not just a personal milestone but also a moment of pride for Uzbekistan. As he takes his place among these trailblazing figures, the young defender continues the tradition of breaking new ground in one of football’s most celebrated leagues.
