Asamoah Gyan: Black Stars Legend Opens Up on How His Move to China Affected Lives in Ghana

Asamoah Gyan: Black Stars Legend Opens Up on How His Move to China Affected Lives in Ghana

Lukman Mumuni
updated at July 4, 2024 at 1:23 AM
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  • Legendary Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan has opened up on his famous move to China to play for Shanghai SIPG
  • The former Black Stars captain joined the Chinese outfit in 2015 after leaving United Arab Emirates side Al Ain
  • Gyan spent most of his playing career in Asia, starring for several clubs including Shabab Al Ahli and NorthEast United

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Former Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan, has disclosed that leaving Europe to join clubs in Asia at the peak of his career was the best decision he made during his playing days.

Gyan played for Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, Shabab Al Ahli and NorthEast United during his time in Asia, and was at one point one of the highest-paid players in the world when he moved to China.

According to the former Black Stars striker, he spoke to everyone that mattered around him before taking that huge leap in his career, especially amid criticisms from Ghanaians.

Asamoah Gyan, Ghana, China, Shanghai SIPG, Black Stars, World Cup
Asamoah Gyan arrives in China to begin career with Shanghai SIPG on July 8, 2015. Photo: Visual China Group.
Source: Getty Images
"It was a difficult decision for me, but I spoke to everyone around me, and we decided it was the best move for me," Gyan told Wontumi FM, as quoted by Ghana Soccernet.

Gyan made a fortune playing in China and returned home to establish several companies in Ghana, which he believes has positively affected the lives of many people in the country.

"Luckily, it turned out well for me, and we have managed to establish companies that are employing Ghanaians," he added.

The legendary striker enjoyed an illustrious career for Ghana and holds the record for the most goals with the Black Stars. Gyan is also the African player with the most goals at the World Cup, appearing in three tournaments.

He retired from football in 2023 and has since been involved in several activities, including the novel All Regional Games which is set to be launched on July 6, 2024, in Kumasi, as reported by Asaase Radio Online.

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan reacted to news of Saudi giants Al-Ittihad showing interest in Black Stars midfielder Mohammed Kudus in the summer transfer window.

The West Ham United star is reported to be on the radar of the club who are set to triple his salaries should he decide to join them this summer.

However, some sections of the Ghanaian media have advised the 23-year-old to stay and build his career in England, claiming he is too young to make that move.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.