‘I didn't want to do anything apart from football.’ Few are brave enough to admit their love but Asamoah Gyan surely knows his preference as he mentioned back in 2012. One of the biggest facets of a glittering career is a blend of impeccable performances at both the international and club level which the Ghanaian national Asamoah Gyan seems to be doing with ease for the past 17 years.
Gyan is the new face of attack for NorthEast United in the Indian Super League this season and despite his age crawling up, the 34-year-old has been deadly, scoring two goals in the club’s first two matches of the season.
The NorthEast squad has nothing but admiration for their new forward with defenders like Rakesh Pradhan praising their teammate for his renowned experience across the globe.
A striking phenomenon
Gyan made his international debut in 2003 as a 17-year-old, scoring his first goal against Somalia. Presently, the Ghanaian has ended up representing his beloved nation at three World Cups and is now the top scorer with 51 goals in 109 appearances for his nation. He is now embedded in the long list of World Cup players who have left their imprints in the ISL.
His endeavours in Europe were commendable as a stint in the Serie A with Udinese and a two-year tenure with Rennes in Ligue 1 prepared him for the biggest challenge of his life, the Premier League in England.
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The experience at Sunderland was rewarding both professionally and personally. Gyan scored 11 goals in 36 appearances before making his permanent move to Al Ain in the UAE Pro League back in 2012. It was at Al-Ain that Gyan blossomed into a rather mature striker and took on the responsibilities of scoring goals for his side.
His prolific career in United Arab Emirates gave him all the confidence that one would look for. At Al Ain, Gyan found the back consistently for the club and netted 95 goals in just 83 appearances for the club in the domestic league, averaging over one goal per match. What was even more astonishing that the lethal striker ended his tenure in UAE with 123 goals in 123 games in four years.
He had now established himself as a goal scoring mammoth who would rain fire if given even the slightest of chance.
Knocking on the Indian shores
Gyan moved to the ISL club, NorthEast United on a free transfer after his contract expired in Turkey where his commitments made him to spend his time in Super Lig with a club named Kayserispor. The 34-year-old’s moves to India on the back of a massive reputation earned at the international level, especially in the UAE with Al Ain.
@ASAMOAH_GYAN3 speaks after his debut in the @IndSuperLeague against @bengalurufc pic.twitter.com/51l44JTuHh
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) October 22, 2019
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Although NorthEast has been undefeated in the ISL so far, there needs to be a spectacle of teamwork most probably lead by Gyan, courtesy of all his wisdom gathered over the years by his time spent on the pitch. Expect NorthEast United to rise and shine and definitely in time.
Featured image courtesy: Twitter/@NorthEast United FC
