I was fulfilled to play in the Premier League - Asamoah Gyan

Former Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has described playing in the Premier League as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

Following a standout performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Gyan joined Sunderland from Stade Rennais for a club-record £13 million.

He quickly made an impact, scoring on his debut against Wigan Athletic on 11 September 2011 after coming on as a substitute for Danny Welbeck.

In an interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, Gyan said he had always aspired to play in England’s top flight.

"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.

"I had the option to stay at Stade Rennais, but I told them this is my time to go to the Premier League.

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

After just a season and a half with Sunderland, during which he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances, Gyan made a surprising move to Al Ain on loan on 10 September 2011, before making the transfer permanent the following season.