'My mind was made up' – Asamoah Gyan on fulfilling Premier League dream at Sunderland

Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has revealed the unshakeable determination behind his record-breaking move to Sunderland, stating that once the chance to play in the Premier League arrived, his "mind was made up".

The legendary striker, Ghana's all-time leading goalscorer, said his dream was ignited years earlier by watching compatriot and football pioneer Tony Yeboah light up the English top flight with Leeds United. That inspiration became a singular ambition.

"It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League. Watching Tony Yeboah, I said to myself that I want to play in the Premier League, so my mind was made up," Gyan said in a recent interview. He recalled the pivotal moment the dream turned into reality: "I had the option to stay at Stade Rennais, but I told them this is my time to go."

The opportunity came after Gyan's standout performances for Ghana at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which earned him a £13 million move to Sunderland. He wasted no time in proving his readiness, scoring on his debut as a substitute against Wigan Athletic in September 2011.

"Coming in, I was ready to deliver, and on my debut, I scored, and everything started getting better," Gyan recounted.

Reflecting on the broader impact, Gyan credited Yeboah for forging a path that Ghanaian players could follow. "Anthony Yeboah was the one who opened the door for us to go to the Premier League. And that is why I joined," he said.

Though his stint at the Stadium of Light lasted just a season and a half before a move to Al Ain, Gyan's 10 goals in 34 appearances fulfilled a personal dream and honoured the legacy of the Ghanaian icon who first made it seem possible.