Uzbekistan international defender Bekhruz Karimov joins FC Lugano
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Uzbekistan national team defender Bekhruz Karimov has transferred to FC Lugano, a team in the Swiss Super League. The 19-year-old fullback moves from Surkhon Termez, with the Uzbekistan Football Association confirming his official contract signing with the new club.
Karimov's move is well-deserved. The right-back quickly established himself in Uzbekistan's domestic league, leading to a rapid promotion to the senior national squad. He secured a starting position for Uzbekistan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, participating in significant matches against Colombia and Portugal.
While his raw footballing skills are still developing and require refinement, his potential is remarkably high. His standout attributes include his exceptional character, mental toughness, and remarkable physical resilience.
His physical recovery is particularly noteworthy; he returned to play in just two months after sustaining a bone fracture, a testament to his extraordinary physical strength and superior genetic recovery capabilities.
Despite being only 18 at the time, Karimov displayed the psychological maturity of an experienced player on the international stage. He faced an immense challenge when directly opposing Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in a World Cup match. Even as his teammates struggled under pressure, Karimov remained resolute. He actively engaged in the game, executing progressive dribbles and confident feints to overcome elite adversaries.
Remarkably for his age, he also demonstrated leadership on the field. During difficult periods for the team, he gestured to the Uzbek crowd, encouraging them to cheer and support, thereby rallying the fans to boost team morale. A young player possessing such psychological fortitude, elite physical recovery, and innate leadership qualities is exceptionally uncommon.
FC Lugano, established in 1908, is a historic Swiss club. They have won the Swiss league championship three times and the Swiss Cup four times.
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