Established in 2023, the Tashkent Cityzens Official Supporters Club now brings together more than 20 Manchester City fans in the Uzbek capital.
While separated from the Etihad Stadium by distance, their connection to the Club has been strengthened further by Khusanov’s arrival in Manchester.
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For Mirazim Zakirov, Chair of the Tashkent Cityzens, his journey as a City fan began in the 2015/16 season.
“At that time, most people in Uzbekistan supported Barcelona or Real Madrid,” he explains.
“I didn’t want to choose between those clubs. I wanted to support a team that wasn’t so popular then, but that I believed would become stronger in the future.”
That belief was confirmed on 3 October 2015, when Zakirov watched Manchester City face Newcastle United.
“I turned on the match when City were losing 1–0 and then saw Sergio Agüero score five goals in around 20 minutes,” he says.
“His performance was incredible. From that moment, City became my club.”
Inspired by that experience, Zakirov went on to learn more about the Club’s history and competitions before helping to establish the Tashkent Cityzens in 2023.
“I wanted to bring together people who felt the same passion for City,” he adds. “We now try to meet for matches whenever we can.”
The arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov in Manchester has had a significant impact on City’s support in Uzbekistan.
“When we learned about his transfer, we were very happy,” says Zakirov. “Many more people began following City closely. Support for the Club in Uzbekistan has grown a lot since then.”
That sentiment is shared by Azizmirza Umedov, who has followed City since the dramatic 2012 title-winning season.
“I became a City fan because of the 93:20 moment,” he explains.
“But I also support my home club, Bunyodkor Tashkent. Seeing a player who came through Bunyodkor join Manchester City is something very special.”
“For us, Khusanov connects these two clubs. One of our own is now part of City, and that has raised interest and pride across the country.”
For Mirzayev Akmal, City’s style of football first caught his attention in 2016.
“I started watching because of Kevin De Bruyne,” he says.
“Since then, I’ve tried to support and watch every match, no matter what happens.”
Although he has yet to visit the Etihad Stadium, Akmal says his support remains strong.
“For now, I support through TV and my phone, but I haven’t lost hope of seeing City live one day,” he adds. “It means a lot to see a player from our homeland representing the Club.”
From a single televised match to an established Official Supporters Club, the Tashkent Cityzens reflect Manchester City’s expanding global reach.
Khusanov’s success, now recognised with the January Player of the Month award, has further strengthened that bond, inspiring fans across Uzbekistan to follow the Club more closely than ever before.
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