By Kwame Bediako
Legendary Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan has lifted the lid on his memorable yet brief stint at English Premier League club AFC Sunderland, where he quickly became a fan favorite.
In just one season with the Black Cats, Gyan netted 10 goals across 34 league appearances, cementing his status as a cult hero despite the short duration.
His abrupt departure to the United Arab Emirates came at the height of his powers, a move that stunned many followers.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand, Gyan dropped a bombshell: it was Sunderland who urged him to leave.
“There were a lot of stories coming out around that time, but it was Sunderland that asked me to leave,” he explained, countering years of speculation.
The club eyed a lucrative loan deal to UAE side Al Ain, expecting Gyan to return after capitalizing on it. “Initially that was my mind, go for the deal and come back,” Gyan admitted.
But once there, he fell in love with the club and opted for the buy clause instead.
That decision sparked Gyan’s most prolific chapter, banging in 95 goals in 83 games for Al Ain while also cementing his place as Ghana’s all-time top scorer with the Black Stars. Surprisingly, Gyan reflected, “My best time was in UAE.”
