Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has revealed that his transition from Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Chinese Super League was a challenging decision, despite his successful spell in the UAE.

Gyan, who had impressed with Al Ain, embarked on a significant career move in July 2015 by joining Shanghai SIPG on a lucrative two-year deal, earning a weekly salary of £227,000.

Speaking to Wontumi Radio, the 39-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. “It was a tough choice for me, but I consulted with my family and friends, and together we concluded it was the right move for me,” Gyan explained. “Fortunately, it turned out to be a beneficial decision, and it has also enabled us to establish businesses that employ Ghanaians.”

Prior to his move to China, Gyan’s transfer from Sunderland in the English Premier League to Al Ain had raised eyebrows due to his impressive performance in England’s top league.

Throughout his illustrious career, Gyan has played for clubs such as Liberty Professionals, Stade Rennes, Udinese, and Sunderland. He also had spells with Kayserispor, North East United, and Legon Cities before retiring in June 2023.

Gyan remains Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer with 51 goals and holds the distinction of being Africa’s highest goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.