Getting To Know Gyan Another

A composed state failed to surface until 17:45 yesterday when it was confirmed we had bagged our new super signing with only a meagre 15 minutes remaining of the transfer window. It was our cardinal need to get a striker in and thankfully the deal was tied up in time.

Asamoah Gyan is our new 13.5 million man signed on a four year deal from french club Rennes. Here is a little information on our new striker:

He was born in Accra, Ghana in 1985. He played for local team Liberty Professionals where he scored 10 goals in 16 appearances before being snapped up by Italian side Udinese in 2003. Gyan spent time on loan at Serie B side Modena where he made 53 apps scoring 15 goals. By the time he left Udinese for Rennes he had scored 11 goals in the 39 games although his time was hindered by injury.

47 games at Rennes brought 14 goals in the french league but it was his work rate and fitness that brought the attention of the likes of A.C Milan, Man utd and Arsenal to name a few. His starring role at this years world cup elevated interest and high figures were mntioned throughout the summer.

Gyan also starred at the African Nations 2010 scoring 3 of his countries 4 goals. Another unknown fact is that he competed at the 2004 olympics in Athens but his team failed to get out of the group stage. For his national side he proved prolific scoring 22 goals in 44 apps proving he has the potential to score a bag full of goals if playing in the right team.

While the price might seem high for a player who is unproven in the English game it is easy to envision the attributes that appealled to Bruce in his pursuit. His physical strength, pace and and hunger for the game will offer our team a player in the mould of a hybrid between Dirk Kuyt and Kenwyne Jones. Not the tallest at 5'11 he is good in the air the way Tim Cahill is and has proved over the years.

Sunderland have been crying out for a new striker and Gyan will provide the perfect foil for our other super star: Darrent Bent.

If he can hit the heights he is capable of it will not only be a boost for himself but our city as a whole.

So far Gyan has said the right things and shown the right attitude and hopefully he can do the same and then some on the pitch.

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