Asamoah Gyan Reveals Why He Moved From Sunderland to Al Ain
Former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan has revealed the story behind his big money move from Sunderland to Al Ain in 2011, a decision that would define his career for years to come.
The striker, who had been a fan favourite at Sunderland after his move from French club Rennes, disclosed that it wasn’t his own decision to leave the English Premier League side.
According to Gyan, speaking on Rio Presents podcast hosted by Rio Ferdinand, revealed that it was Sunderland’s management that pushed for the move, having received a loan offer from Al Ain in the UAE Pro League.
“It was Sunderland who told me to leave because of the deal that came [from Al Ain],” Gyan explained. “It was a loan deal, and they felt like they could capitalize on it, thinking that I’d go for that deal and then I’ll come back.”
Initially, Gyan was open to the idea of a loan spell at Al Ain with the plan to return to Sunderland after the temporary stint. But as soon as he arrived in the United Arab Emirates, everything changed.
“When I went there, I fell in love with the place,” Gyan admitted, reflecting on his first impressions of the city and the club. The striking environment, the culture, and the bond he shared with the players began to grow on him.
As he settled in, he started to see the potential of a permanent move, and his initial intentions of returning to Sunderland shifted.
“I had to just focus on the option to buy, and I said ‘okay, I will go with the option to buy because I fell in love with the players.’”
What followed was an extraordinary chapter in Gyan’s career. After impressing during his loan spell, Al Ain activated the option to buy him, securing his permanent transfer in 2012.
Gyan would go on to become the star of the team, leading them to multiple trophies, including the UAE Pro League title, and cementing his status as one of the league’s greatest-ever foreign players.
His move to Al Ain was not just about football; it became a love story between a player and his new home. The Ghanaian forward’s connection with the club, the fans, and the city led to one of the most successful and memorable periods in his career.
The former Black Stars captain’s presence in the UAE helped elevate the profile of the league, attracting more international stars and further bridging the gap between footballing cultures from the West and the Middle East.
Reflecting on that period now, Gyan’s decision to commit to Al Ain wasn’t just a career move—it was a life-changing experience that reshaped his identity as a player. It was a decision born not out of necessity, but out of genuine love for the people and the place.
In the end, what seemed like a temporary detour turned into a defining moment in Asamoah Gyan’s career—a move that led to personal growth and professional success in a region where he became a legend.