SUNDERLAND,September 1 – Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan completed his move to English Premier League club Sunderland for a club record fee of over 13 million pounds (15.7 million euros) on Tuesday.Gyan agreed a four-year contract with Steve Bruce’s side in a deal which shatters the club’s previous record when they signed Darren Bent from Tottenham for 10 million pounds (12 million euros) in 2009.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old’s move was announced 20 minutes before the transfer window in England shut at 1700GMT.<\/p>\n
"Sunderland have broken their transfer record to sign Ghanaian World Cup star Asamoah Gyan from French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes," a statement on the club’s website confirmed.<\/p>\n
"Gyan arrives on Wearside for a fee in excess of 13 million pounds – more than Sunderland chief Steve Bruce paid to acquire Darren Bent from Tottenham last year."<\/p>\n
Gyan boosted his reputation with some fine displays at the World Cup scoring three goals, although his tournament ended on a low note when he missed a last-minute penalty against Uruguay that would have sent Ghana into the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
The Accra-born star has netted 22 times in 44 international appearances and his move to the Premier League should be eased by the presence at Sunderland of Ghana team-mate John Mensah, who is loan from French club Lyon.<\/p>\n
Gyan could make his Sunderland debut at Wigan on September 11 in the team’s next game after the international break.<\/p>\n
He is already looking forward to playing in the local derby against Newcastle and told the club’s website: "It’s been a long day, but finally I’m happy to be here.<\/p>\n
"My family is in England already and I am happy this is the right place for me.<\/p>\n
"The Sunderland coach has faith in me because he has been following me for two years now. I am pleased I have the opportunity to come to England.<\/p>\n
"I follow English football and I know Sunderland have incredible fans.<\/p>\n
"I especially know about the derby when they play against Newcastle. That is something incredible. I have witnessed that myself."<\/p>\n
Gyan’s arrival was perfectly timed as Bruce learned on Tuesday that striker Fraizer Campbell will be sidelined for at least six months after rupturing cruciate knee ligaments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SUNDERLAND,September 1 – Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan completed his move to English Premier League club Sunderland for a club record fee of over 13 million pounds (15.7 million euros) on Tuesday.Gyan agreed a four-year contract with Steve Bruce’s side in a deal which shatters the club’s previous record when they signed Darren Bent from Tottenham […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12319,"featured_media":10925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-premiership"],"yoast_head":"\n