Football: Ghana's Gyan completes Shanghai switch as big-name influx continues

Al-Ain's Asamoah Gyan (left) and Omar Abdulrahman (right) at Sheik Hazza Bin Zayed stadium on May 6, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

SHANGHAI (REUTERS) - Asamoah Gyan has penned a two-year deal with Shanghai SIPG and is set to be unveiled by the Chinese Super League side early next week, the Ghana football skipper said on Friday.

The 29-year-old striker confirmed on his official website that he had signed a contract, which has an option for a renewal, after completing a routine medical.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but local media have reported he would be earning in excess of the US$250,000 (S$330,000) per week he was receiving at United Arab Emirates champions Al Ain.

A report on Gyan's website said the club would hold an official unveiling when Shanghai return from Sunday's league match at Guangzhou R&F.

Gyan was immensely popular during his four-year stint at Al Ain, where he scored 95 goals in 83 matches, but the Emirati team said the offer from the title-chasing Chinese side was too good to refuse.

His arrival marks the latest big-money signing in China, where the top clubs have splashed out millions of dollars on high-profile players such as Demba Ba and Paulinho, with Brazilian forward Robinho also expected to join their ranks.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.