Asamoah Gyan says he still has ‘much to do’ at Al Ain

Asamoah Gyan points out that he says he still has much to achieve with Al Ain in the Arabian Gulf League. Christopher Pike / The National

DUBAI // Asamoah Gyan says he still has plenty to achieve at Al Ain after the striker extended his contract with the club until 2018.

The Ghanaian, 28, has been the leading scorer in the UAE top flight since his transfer from Sunderland, the English Premier League side, in 2011.

He initially joined on a season-long loan, but made the move permanent at the conclusion of his debut campaign in the Arabian Gulf League.

In all, he had scored 82 goals in 66 league matches, earning him the Golden Boot in each of his three seasons. In that time, he also collected two championship winner’s medals. Gyan’s original deal was to expire in 2016, but the forward, whose goals fired Al Ain into next month’s Asian Champions League quarter-finals, has committed to the club for another two years.

“I’ve received all the support since I came here and without my teammates’ help I would not have achieved what I have achieved,” Gyan said. “I’m still young and have much to do for the team.

“I said before I came to UAE that I wanted to prove I was up to the challenge. I came from one of the strongest leagues in the world and hit great achievements with my colleagues here.”

Gyan arrived back early last week from an extended break following the recent World Cup in Brazil. The Ghana captain scored two goals as he side exited the finals at the group stage, but his displays still reportedly attracted interest from a number of clubs in the Premier League, chiefly West Ham United.

“It is not important where you play,” Gyan said.

“It is the individual’s motivation in pushing himself to the limit. Before the World Cup I made huge efforts and I think they paid off. I played in Europe, but when I came to the UAE I fell in love with the country and the people here.

“Statistically, I did more with my national team after I moved to UAE.

“I don’t mean the English league is not good, but it is different.

“Coming to Al Ain gave me what I want.”

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