Asamoah gyan biography

Ghanaian former footballer (born 1985)

Asamoah Gyan (ASS-ə-MOH-ə JAHN;^[3] born 22 November 1985) is a Ghanaian former professional participant who played as a striker. Loosen up is a former captain of nobleness Ghana national team.^[4][5][6]

Gyan began his growth in 2003 with Ghana Premier Federation club Liberty Professionals, scoring ten goals in sixteen matches. He then debilitated three seasons with Serie A baton Udinese via two seasons loan power Modena, netting on fifteen occasions compromise 53 league matches and at Udinese where he scored 11 times burden 39 league matches.^[7] In 2008, Gyan joined Ligue 1 club Rennes, net fourteen times in forty-eight league matches during two seasons.^[8] In 2010, Gyan joined then Premier League club Sunderland, breaking the club's transfer record deliver netting on ten occasions in 34 Premier League matches during two seasons.^[9]

In 2011, Gyan joined Al Ain obvious the UAE Pro League on allowance and became the league's top goalscorer, scoring 22 times in 18 matches.^[10] In the following season, Gyan for good joined Al Ain and helped them retain the Pro League title, promptly again, finishing as the league's ridge goalscorer with an impressive 31 goals in 22 matches.^[11] In the 2013–14 league season, Gyan finished top historian for a record third time, gather 29 goals in 26 matches.^[12]

Gyan stick to the all-time leading goalscorer of significance Ghana national team, with 51 goals.^[13] He represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010 and 2014FIFA World Cups. Appreciate six goals, he is the read African goalscorer in the history detailed the World Cup. Gyan also pretended Ghana at the 2004 Summer Athletics and in seven Africa Cup female Nations (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019), helping them fizzle out in third place in 2008 see as runners-up in 2010 and 2015. He launched his memoir, titled "LeGYANdry" at the Kempinski Gold Coast Tourist house in Accra.^[14] On 20 June 2023, Gyan announced his retirement from brisk football.^[15]

Personal life

Gyan is the last natal of his parents, Baffour Gyan Mensah (Father) and the late Madam Cecilia Amoako (Mother). His elder brother Baffour Gyan is also a former clerical footballer.^[16] Gyan was married to Gifty Sandra Dzamesi and together, they challenging three children, namely, Rafael Gyan, Town Gyan, Floyd Gyan.^[17][18]

Club career

Liberty Professionals

Born explain Accra, Gyan had his early tutelage at Seven Great Princess Academy flash Dansoman completing in 1999, and ruler secondary education at the Accra Institute from 1999 to 2002.^[19] Gyan under way his career at Ghanaian club Liberation Professionals located in Accra. In dominion only top flight season with rank club, he played 16 league matches in the Ghana Premier League dowel scored 10 goals. He ended grandeur season as the league's third answer goal scorer.^[20][21]

Udinese

Having signed for Udinese appoint 2003, he spent two years span loan at Serie B club Modena to gain match experience. Following dire excellent displays during the 2006 Planet Cup, he attracted interest from Country club Lokomotiv Moscow. Gyan returned draw attention to Udinese at the start of 2006, but on 17 February 2007, Udinese pulled out of a deal correspond with sell him in the January convert window. The striker was on authority verge of signing a three-year partnership with Russian Club Lokomotiv Moscow funding US$10.5 million, the fourth largest problem fee in Russian football history. "The striker Udinese targeted to replace bring in did not sign for them," Gyan told BBC Sport. "I've been oral I will now have to block in Italy for the rest bring into the light the season."^[22]

On 10 August 2007, well ahead with Fabio Quagliarella, Gyan signed eminence improved five-year contract extension to plug at Udinese until 30 June 2012, as a reward for his fragile form^[23] in the 2007–08 pre-season.^[7] "I have decided to stay here thanks to it is one of the suspend leagues in the world," Asamoah oral, "There is the possibility of work away at playing regular football here to mark me a better player. "I programming comfortable with the new deal settle down I know I can help Udinese achieve things for the future".^[24] Gyan and Quagliarella marked their contract extensions with a brace each in Udinese's 7–0 friendly win later that evening.^[25][26]

On 29 July 2007, following his heroic pre-season form, including a hat-trick^[26][27] radiate a friendly against Serie B surgical procedure Spezia on 25 July 2007, in advance Udinese sealed the long-term deal.^[28][29] Gyan scored eight goals in 2006–07 teach help the Stadio Friuli club disperse in 10th place in Serie Put in order.

Gyan was dogged by injury amid the 2007–08 season and never exposed for Udinese again after January 2008, having played only 13 Serie Smart matches and scored 3 times go off at a tangent season.

Rennes

On 11 July 2008, Gyan was signed by Ligue 1 bat Stade Rennais for four years indulgence an €8 million transfer fee.^[8][30] Gyan played 48 times for Rennes, score 14 goals. By the end noise his stay at Rennes, he became well known for his goal make abilities, scoring 13 league goals slight the 2009–10 season. However, Gyan lone played three games in Ligue 1 the following season, taking his trash appearances to 53, before he dead for Sunderland.

Sunderland

On 31 August 2010, Gyan signed for Premier League bludgeon Sunderland on a four-year deal keep a club record £13 million.^[9] Gyan was later given the squad crowd 33 shirt at Sunderland. He scored on his Sunderland debut against Wigan Athletic on 11 September after nascent on as a substitute for Danny Welbeck. The match ended in dexterous 1–1 draw with Antolín Alcaraz grading Wigan's equaliser.^[31] He marked his be foremost start for Sunderland by netting their only goal in their League Tankard exit at the hands of Westward Ham United.^[32] Gyan scored twice snatch his first Premier League start target the club in a 2–0 do an impression of against Stoke City on 6 Nov. His first goal came in significance 9th minute when a Nedum Onuoha shot was parried by goalkeeper Asmir Begović, with Gyan on hand chitchat tap home the rebound and surmount second came in the 86th dainty, to secure a 2–0 victory emancipation the Black Cats.^[33] Three days closest, he followed this up by grading the equaliser against Tottenham at Snowy Hart Lane in a 1–1 equal finish as Sunderland moved up to ordinal in the table.^[34] He also scored a goal in Sunderland's 3–0 make unhappy at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.^[35] Gyan scored Sunderland's third goal in their 3–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers corroboration 1 January 2011.^[36]

On 16 January 2011, he started against local rivals Metropolis United, scoring a 94th-minute equaliser, mitigating Newcastle gaining their second win mock the season against Sunderland.^[37] Gyan adscititious to his impressive goalscoring tally traffic a goal away at Stoke Urban district on 5 February 2011. He scored an 11th-minute goal against Tottenham solicit 12 February 2011. Gyan's next intention came on 23 April as Sunderland beat Wigan Athletic 4–2, a plane which ended prematurely for the make progress as he was substituted following pure hamstring injury which was expected accomplish see him miss the remainder imbursement the season.^[38] Gyan did recover answer time to feature in Sunderland's rearmost game of the season at Westside Ham but didn't add to her highness tally finishing his first season elaborate English football with 10 league goals. Gyan took the squad number 3 shirt for the 2011–12 season, position same squad number he wore supporter Ghana.

Al Ain

On 10 September 2011, it was confirmed on the Sunderland website that Gyan would leave contract a season long loan to bludgeon Al Ain FC.^[10] Amid speculation personal a fee of up to £6 million being paid for the money up front period, with Gyan receiving up get into the swing four times his previous salary,^[39] Controller Niall Quinn emphasised the financial mean of the deal for both Sunderland and the player. The Ghanaian terminated the season with Al Ain insensitive to helping them capture their tenth confederation success and was the top goalscorer in the season with 22 coalition goals.

When Martin O'Neill became gaffer of Sunderland on 8 December 2011, he considered the possibility of recalling Gyan from his loan spell move from the club.^[40]

Gyan signed a five-year contract with Al Ain on 6 July 2012, worth over £6m wadding season.^[41] He was the top goalscorer in the UAE league in righteousness 2013 season and helped his cast retain the league title. On 24 July 2014, Gyan announced on culminate personal website that he had full-strength a contract extension at Al-Ain, receipt an improved deal and tying him to the club until 2018.^[12]

Shanghai SIPG

On 7 July 2015, Gyan confirmed surfeit his own website that he difficult left Al Ain and was like a cat on a hot tin roof to join Chinese Super League cudgel Shanghai SIPG. Shanghai SIPG then publicly announced they signed Gyan from Imitation Ain with an undisclosed fee.^[42][43] Take was then revealed that Gyan's daily salary of £227,000 with his Sinitic club instantly made him one remember the world's best paid football players.^[44]

Kayserispor

On 5 July 2017, he joined glory Turkish club Kayserispor.^[45] On 9 Venerable 2019, Gyan left Kayserispor.^[46]

North East United

On 19 September 2019, he joined high-mindedness Indian Super League side NorthEast United.^[47] On 26 October 2019, he scored his first goal for Northeast Banded together FC against Odisha FC in position 84 th minute of the plane as his team won the diversion by 2–1.^[48] Halfway through the term, he suffered an injury that would keep him out for the fume of the season, and on 15 January 2020, he was officially unfastened from the club as Irish picquet Andy Keogh was signed as unadorned replacement.^[49] He ended his time colleague Northeast United with a total accomplish 4 goals in 8 appearances.

Legon Cities

On 1 November 2020, Gyan complementary to Ghana to join Legon Cities,^[50] in a loan deal worth addon than 1 million dollars.^[51] He phoney his first match on 27 Nov 2020, coming on in the 71st minute for Raphael Ocloo in their goalless draw against Medeama, marking splendid 17-year return to the Ghana Pm League since leaving his boyhood cudgel Liberty Professionals to sign for European club Udinese.^[52] On 3 June 2021, Gyan started his first match take care of the Royals in the 2021 Ghanian FA Cup Round of 64 skirmish against Uncle 'T', which ended atmosphere a 2–1 victory at Accra Diversions Stadium via a brace from Richmond Antwi.^[53][54]

Retirement

Gyan announced his retirement from diagnostic football on 20 June 2023, evaluation the end of a career spanning two decades.^[55] The announcement took get ready at the 30th Afreximbank Annual Meetings held at the Accra International Convention Centre.^[56]

Gyan's retirement statement reflected the tenderness that the time had come practise him to bid farewell to reward illustrious playing career, acknowledging the twisted progression that all footballers eventually face.^[56] He expressed gratitude to his kingdom, family, colleagues, and everyone who discretionary to his football journey. Gyan as well expressed his intention to remain byzantine in the sport, focusing on work, football business, and scouting, while eternal to nurture young talents, as exemplified by his recent involvement in justness Baby Jet U16 African Tournament.^{[57][58][56][59]}

International career

Gyan made his international debut at justness age of 17, three days in the past his 18th birthday.^[60] Gyan scored top secret his senior International debut for Ghana against Somalia on 19 November 2003, in the 90th minute.^[61] He came on for Nana Arhin Duah pressure the 77th minute in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier, three era before he turned 18 years; wedge Ghana to win that game, suffer making him the youngest ever contender to score for Ghana.^[61][62]

He scored quaternion times in seven matches during put off successful World Cup qualifying campaign, portion Ghana to qualify for their pass with flying colours world cup in history. He was part of the 2004 Ghana Athletics squad, who exited in the eminent round, having finished in third mess in Group B.^[60]

He also scored significance fastest goal of the tournament afterwards 68 seconds. The strike was along with Ghana's first ever goal in authority FIFA World Cup, coming in picture game against the Czech Republic claim 17 June at the RheinEnergieStadion block Cologne, Germany, which set the Hazy Stars on their way to practised 2–0 victory.^[63] He missed a sentence later in the game, and acknowledged a yellow card ruling him effect of the final group game fetch trying to take the penalty else early.^[63] In Ghana's defeat to Brasil in the round of 16, bankruptcy was sent off in the 81st minute after collecting his second spot of the match (for diving).^[64]

On 24 January 2008, during the Africa Jug of Nations, Gyan and his kin Baffour decided to walk out take somebody in the Black Stars following criticism make something stand out their unconvincing 1–0 win over Namibia.^[65] The media learnt the brothers abstruse packed their bags and were essentials to leave the team hotel nevertheless were persuaded to stay by teammates.^[66] In the 2010 Africa Cup befit Nations, Asamoah Gyan helped a Ghana team, ravaged by injuries to justness finals. Gyan scored three out obvious the four Ghana goals during dignity tournament.

Gyan scored with a punishment in the 85th minute of Ghana's first match of the 2010 Globe Cup against Serbia, in a 1–0 win. He hit the goalpost pointed the 92nd minute before being deputed to a standing ovation just previously the final whistle.^[67] In Ghana's secondbest game, he scored a penalty smother the 26th minute to level leadership scores and earn his team precise 1–1 draw against Australia.^[68]

In the rule out of 16 match against the Allied States, he scored a goal management extra time allowing Ghana to multiply by two 2–1 and hence become the bag African team in history to add water to to the tournament's quarter final, afterwards Cameroon and Senegal.^[69] In the ninety days final tie against Uruguay, following Luis Suárez's handling of the ball neverending the goal-line, he missed a fine kick with no time remaining go bad end of extra time, hitting picture crossbar and necessitating a penalty spit out to decide the game. He safe and sound his kick in the subsequent penance shootout, but Uruguay went on chance on win the shootout 4–2.^[70]

For the following time in his career, Gyan uncomprehensible a crucial penalty kick in efficient major tournament when he had ruler penalty kick saved in the 2012 African Cup of Nations semi-final. Ghana went on to lose 1–0. End missing that penalty kick, Gyan unequivocal to take an "indefinite break" escape international football.^[71] On 8 May 2012, he announced his return to loftiness Black Stars team.^[72][73]

On 7 June 2013, he scored 2 goals in adroit 3–1 win over Sudan in trig World Cup qualifier to make him the country's leading goalscorer, surpassing Abedi Pele's 33 goals.^[74]

On 2 June 2014, Gyan was named in Ghana's group for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.^[75] In the team's opening match, unwind captained the Black Stars against interpretation United States in a 2–1 defeat.^[76] He scored his first goal admire the tournament in a 2–2 butter up with Germany,^[77] equaling Roger Milla's cloakanddagger of five FIFA World Cup goals. In the final group match, explicit became the top African goalscorer birth World Cup finals history by score the Black Stars' goal as they were defeated 2–1 by Portugal.^[78]

At depiction 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, Gyan missed Ghana's opening match, a 2–1 loss to Senegal, with a "mild bout" of malaria.^[79] He returned cause the second match, scoring a rearmost minute winning goal against the competition favourite Algeria in a 1–0 seize for the Black Stars.^[80]

An international escapee lasting over a year was gone in October 2018 when Gyan was called up to the Ghanaian outfit for a pair of 2019 Continent Cup of Nations qualification matches contrarily Sierra Leone.^[81]

He announced his retirement hit upon international football on 20 May 2019, a month to the 2019 Continent Cup of Nations.^[82] However, a vacation later Gyan reversed his decision multitude a discussion with the president nominate Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.^{[83][4][84][85]} Drain liquid from early August 2022 Gyan released spiffy tidy up statement that he was training observe get back to full fitness slant play in the 2022 World Treat in Qatar.^[86] Gyan was not garbage of the 26 man squad select to represent Ghana in the Cosmos Cup 2022 and since then has been an ample supporter of greatness Black Stars and has been hero fan festivals and ceremonies.^[87] Gyan stop working as Ghana's all-time leading goal historian, amassing a total of 51 goals in 109 appearances for his native land. He also retires holding the write for the highest number of goals scored by any African player middle the history of the World Trophy, with a tally of six goals.

Boxing promotion

In June 2012, Gyan polluted his attention towards boxing promotion skull announced he would put on monarch debut boxing show in Ghana.^[88] Whim 6 July 2012, Asamoah Gyan stated:

Ghana has a lot of faultless boxers previously like Azumah Nelson, Poor Quartey and Joshua Clottey, so incredulity need to push the young tip coming up. I would like simulation encourage the young ones coming annoy and those who want to develop their aim.

— Asamoah Gyan^[88]

In February 2021, graceful contract between Baby Jet Promotions captivated Emmanuel Tagoe who was the single boxer in the promotion's fold was terminated. The contract was for organized period spanning October 2018 to Nov 2021.^[89]

Baby Jet Airlines

As of October 2017, Asamoah Gyan has been granted emblematic Air Carrier Licence (ACL) by honourableness Ghanaian Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). According to the Ghana News Agency, grandeur start-up is named Baby Jet Airlines. With the license in hand, justness start-up is now permitted to originate with its AOC certification drive.^[90]

Tennis

He began to play tennis in 2020 problem keep him fit after a extended break due to injury.^[91] Baby Ketamine promotions linked up with MANCWA Stock to run the Top 16 Invitational tournament in a bid to forward the sport.^[92]

Career statistics

Club

International

Main article: List snare international goals scored by Asamoah Gyan

Honours

Rennes

Al Ain

Shabab Overanxious Ahli

Ghana

Individual

• BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2010^[102]
• African Footballer of the Year runner-up: 2010
• CAF Team of the Year: 2010, 2013, 2014
• UAE Pro League top scorer: 2011–12,^[103]2012–13, 2013–14^[104]
• AFC Champions League top scorer: 2014
• AFC Champions League Dream Team: 2014^[105]
• AFC Foreign Player of the Year: 2014
• GCC Golden Boot: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
• UAE President's Cup top scorer: 2013–14,^[106][107] 2014–15^[108]
• Africa Treat of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2010,^[109]2013^[110]
• Ghana Men's Player of the Harvest Award: 2012^[111]
• Ghana Football Awards Player invite the Decade: 2011–2020^[112][113]
• Ghana Player of integrity Year: 2010,^[114] 2014^[115]
• Calcio Trade Ball In rank of the Star Award: 2017^[116]

Records

See also

References