Premier League icons - Asamoah Gyan

ASAMOAH GYAN
Games/Goals
Sunderland: 34/10
Premier League titles (0): None

Gyan is the most prolific goal-scorer in Ghana football history and had a stellar career that included spells in Italy, France and the Premier League.

To an extent his path followed that of Black Stars teammate Sulley Muntari. They were together at Udinese in Serie A and Sunderland in the Premier League.

Gyan impressed at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, guiding Ghana to the brink of the semifinals in South Africa but missed a crucial penalty kick that would have sealed their passage against Uruguay.

He joined Sunderland from French side Rennes for a club record £13-million after that tournament and scored on his debut against Wigan Athletic, before grabbing a goal in a famous 3-0 success at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

In all, he managed 10 goals in 31 appearances in his first season, but early in the next campaign, he moved to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates after just three more appearances for Sunderland.

It was a surprise at the time, but the Premier League club received a £6-million loan fee for the season and Gyan had his salary quadrupled. He later made the move permanent.

His time in the Premier League may have been short, but he certainly left his mark with some superb goals, and important ones to boot, including an equaliser against hated rivals Newcastle United, which endeared him further to Sunderland fans.