Asamoah Gyan signs for Ghanaian Premier League side Legon Cities

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan, Africa’s top scorer in the history of the World Cup, has returned to his homeland in a surprise move to sign for local side Legon Cities.

His return was confirmed by the Ghana Premier League on Saturday, local transfer deadline day, with the 34-year-old putting pen to paper on a one-year deal. 

The signing marks Gyan’s return to domestic football for the first time since 2003 when he left Liberty Professionals for Italian side Udinese, embarking on a career that would include stints in England, France and China among others.

He last featured for Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United with whom he parted ways in January after a brief spell, and signs for Legon Cities despite recently announcing an interest to play for domestic giants Asante Kotoko before calling time on his professional career.

BIG ONE, BIG ONE!

Ghana’s all-time Topscorer @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 agrees one-year deal with #GPL side @LegonCitiesFC #GPLTransferDeadlineDay

— Ghana Premier League (@GhanaLeague) October 31, 2020

Gyan’s acquisition is the latest statement of intent from Cities, who are embarking on their first full top flight campaign after being rebranded from their previous name – Wa All Stars – last year. Gyan could make his debut against Berekum Chelsea on the opening day of the new season in two weeks’ time.

In 2003, Gyan left Ghana for his first stint abroad, joining Udinese in the Italian top flight. Five years later, he transferred to French outfit Stade Rennais, and subsequently joined Sunderland in the Premier League after impressing for Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Gyan left the Black Cats for Al Ain in the UAE after just one season, initially on loan, before the switch was made permanent. He has since gone on to play for Shanghai SIPG in China, Al Ahli Dubai in the UAE, Turkish side Kayserispor and NorthEast United.

At international level, Gyan, who scored his nation’s first ever World Cup goal in 2006, is Ghana’s most-capped player and all-time top scorer, having made 106 appearances and racked up 51 strikes.

With six goals, he also stands as Africa’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup after shattering Cameroon great Roger Milla’s record at the 2014 global showpiece in Brazil.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, the forward is second on the list of Ghana’s all-time top scorers as the tournament, sitting only one strike behind Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew, who has nine goals to his name.