The Boss top striker has finally left the UAE outfit after bidding bye to officials and fans before heading for China.
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan said his farewells to staff and players of UEA side Al Ain on Tuesday before travelling to China where he is expected to complete a reported three-year deal at Shanghai SPIG.
The Chinese Premier League outfit managed by former England manager Sven-Goran Erikkson are on the verge of snaffling the services of the Black Stars captain with a weekly earnings of $250,000 included in the proposal, according to reports.
The 29-year-old shed tears after meeting with board members and staff of Al Ain on Tuesday evening, according eyewitnesses, but insisted that it was time to face a new challenge after his heroics in the Arabian Gulf League.
“I’m lost for words. This club will always have a special place in my heart no matter what happens in future,” Gyan tweeted. “It’s however time to embrace a new challenge and hopefully this new challenge will be successful or even better than my time with Al Ain,” he added.
Gyan’s Al Ain team-mate Ibrahim Diaky admitted he will miss the Ghana striker following his professionalism on and off the field of play.
“Off course Gyan will be missed because he is sociable and a true professional. He is a lively character that has brought us a lot of memories,” Diaky tweeted.
Gyan is currently in China after arriving on Wednesday morning with his brother Baffour and personal aid Anim Addo. He is expected to meet officials of Shanghai SIPG to finalise his transfer move.
He joined Al Ain from Premier League side Sunderland in 2011 and has won three Arabian Gulf League titles and one President’s Cup. He scored 95 goals in 83 league matches and over 100 goals in all competitions for Al Ain.
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