Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has shed light on the reasons behind his brief but impactful spell at English Premier League side Sunderland, revealing that his departure was largely driven by the club rather than personal choice.
Gyan joined the Black Cats from French outfit Stade Rennais in a club-record £13 million transfer following his standout performances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He made an immediate impact in England, quickly becoming a fan favourite after scoring 10 goals in 34 league appearances during the 2010/11 season.
Despite his strong performances, Gyan made a surprise move away from the Premier League, joining UAE giants Al Ain on loan—a transfer that was later made permanent.
Speaking in an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Gyan explained that Sunderland were keen to capitalise on the financial opportunity presented by the loan deal.
“Surprisingly, my best time was in the UAE. I did great at Sunderland, but unfortunately, I had to leave,” Gyan said.
“There were a lot of stories at that time, but it was Sunderland who asked me to leave because of the deal that came in. It was a loan deal, and the club felt they could capitalise on it. I thought I could go there and then come back—that was my plan,” he added.
Gyan further revealed that his time in the UAE changed his outlook, leading to a permanent switch.
“When I got there, I fell in love with the place. I had to focus on the option to buy, and I went on to fall in love with the club,” he noted.
The move proved highly successful, as Gyan went on to enjoy five prolific seasons with Al Ain, scoring an impressive 95 goals in 83 appearances. His exploits in the Middle East later earned him a transfer to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG, continuing a distinguished club career.
Gyan’s revelation provides fresh perspective on one of the most talked-about transfers involving a Ghanaian footballer in the Premier League era.
