Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov received a lavish new Mercedes and a hero's welcome on his return to Uzbekistan.<br /><br />The 21-year-old returned to his homeland ahead of their crunch matches during the international break.<br /><br />Khusanov arrived in the capital city Tashkent, before visiting his family and his former coach Ulugbek Asonboev.<br /><br />On his arrival, Khusanov was presented with the keys to a new Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which is valued at £135,000.<br /><br />He received the gift from Asonboev, who had been the first coach of Khusanov's career in Uzbekistan.<br /><br />The defender, who appeared emotional after receiving the gift, then took the wheel of his new car.<br /><br />The gift follows Khusanov becoming the first player from Uzbekistan to sign for a Premier League club.<br /><br />Khusanov completed a £34million move from French side Lens to join Man City in the January transfer window.<br /><br />The defender has already made eight appearances for the reigning Premier League champions.<br /><br />He also scored his first goal for the club in Man City's 2-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Leyton Orient.<br /><br />The defender had begun his career at Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan before joining Energetik-BGU in Belarus.<br /><br />His rise continued with a move to Ligue 1 side Lens and then Man City. <br /><br />Khusanov will be crucial for Uzbekistan's hopes of attempting to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.<br /><br />Uzbekistan currently lies second in their six-nation qualification group, which would automatically earn a berth at next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.<br /><br />With four rounds remaining in the third round of Asian qualifying, Uzbekistaholdsld a three-point lead over third-placed United Arab Emirates.<br /><br />Uzbekistan face Kyrgyzstan in their latest World Cup qualifier on Thursday, before meeting group leaders Iran on March 25.
