Black Stars striker and former captain, Asamoah Gyan has announced his retirement from active football.
The 37-year-old made this known at the 30th annual meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Accra.
Gyan retires as Ghana’s all-top scorer with 51 goals in 109 matches.
He enjoyed an 18-year club career, from playing for Liberty Professionals in 2003 to a brief stint at Legon Cities in 2021.
Gyan made his mark on the international stage with notable appearances in the FIFA World Cups of 2006, 2010, and 2014.
He etched his name in history as the top African goal scorer in World Cup tournaments, having netted an impressive tally of six goals.
Ghana’s notable achievements in these tournaments include a third-place finish in 2008 and runner-up positions in 2010 and 2015.
Gyan’s football journey began in 2003 when he commenced his professional career with Liberty Professionals, a prominent club in the Ghanaian Premier League.
His outstanding skills were evident as he swiftly garnered attention, scoring an impressive ten goals in just sixteen matches.This remarkable talent soon caught the eye of Serie A giants Udinese, where Gyan spent three seasons.
Prior to his Udinese stint, he honed his skills during two loan spells at Modena, leaving a lasting impact with fifteen goals in 53 league matches.
Gyan continued his goalscoring prowess at Udinese, finding the back of the net eleven times in 39 league appearances.
In 2008, Gyan embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining Ligue 1 outfit Rennes. Over two seasons, he exhibited his scoring prowess, contributing fourteen goals in forty-eight league matches.
The year 2010 marked a significant milestone for Gyan as he ventured into the highly competitive Premier League, signing with Sunderland.
His arrival shattered the club’s transfer record, showcasing the faith placed in his abilities. Gyan’s impact was felt as he scored ten goals in thirty-four Premier League matches over the course of two seasons.
Continuing his journey, Gyan embarked on a loan spell with Al Ain in the UAE Pro-League during the 2011 season.
His prolific scoring form was on full display, as he claimed the league’s top scorer title with an astonishing twenty-four goals in twenty-seven matches.
Such a remarkable feat prompted Al Ain to secure Gyan’s services permanently for the subsequent season.
Once again, he rose to the occasion, leading his team to the UAE Pro-League title while securing the league’s top scorer accolade with an impressive twenty-eight goals in thirty-two matches.
Gyan’s scoring prowess reached new heights during the 2013-2014 season, where he astounded spectators with an incredible forty-four goals in just forty matches, cementing his place as a revered figure at Al Ain.
Following subsequent spells at Kayserispor in Turkey and India’s NorthEast United, Gyan returned to the Ghana Premier League, joining Legon Cities for the 2020/2021 season.
However, his return to domestic football was met with a lack of goals, as he featured in five matches without finding the back of the net.
In 2022, Gyan, now an esteemed ex-Ghana captain, celebrated his illustrious career by releasing his memoir, titled “LeGYANdry.”
The book, which delves into the intricate details of his life and football journey, was launched at the esteemed Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, captivating fans and readers with its compelling narrative.
