Asamoah Gyan's departure from Al Ain this week felt rather underwhelming, a little inappropriate even.
But that is appropriate because his money-spinning move to Shanghai SIPG was a whirlwind transfer the Arabian Gulf League champions claim took just three days to sort out.
Cutting short his holiday back in Ghana, Gyan arrived in Dubai on Tuesday morning, said his tearful goodbyes in Al Ain Tuesday night and then landed in China early Wednesday. It was complete, done, over.
For now, the most vivid image of Gyan with his former employers is the one released alongside news of his exit on Tuesday: arguably the UAE’s greatest foreign import stood between board member and team supervisor, parading a congratulatory trinket to commemorate his remarkable four-season spell.
Read more:
– And just like that, Asamoah Gyan is gone: Arabian Gulf League’s top scorer says goodbye to Al Ain
– The Kickabout podcast: Asamoah Gyan bids Al Ain adieu – Episode 28
There would be no fanfare with the farewell, no rousing reception as Gyan marked the conclusion of his time in the Garden City with a match-winner or a fresh trophy to hoist high – yet that is how he should be remembered.
His record in the UAE’s professional era is unrivalled. Three league titles and one President’s Cup crown; 95 goals in 83 top-flight appearances, three Golden Boot awards; 128 goals in 124 matches in all competitions; 12 alone in last year’s Asian Champions League, the highest in the tournament.
He was so often the man for the grand occasion: a winner in the 2014 President’s Cup final, five goals in the knockout stages of last year’s continental campaign, the eventual winner in March’s 2-1 Arabian Gulf League victory against Al Jazira, a result that effectively guaranteed Al Ain the championship.
But, strangely, despite the swift acceptance of Shanghai’s proposal and the even-quicker parting with Al Ain, the time was right for both club and player.
At 29, Gyan’s finest form appeared to be slipping away, especially when he struggled with a persistent and problematic quadriceps issue last season. Subsequently, the 2014/15 season was his least productive in the UAE: 12 league starts, five more as substitute, although he still netted 13 times.
Yet the lingering injury consigned Gyan to the bench for the Super Cup clash with Al Ahli and the President’s Cup quarter-final against Al Nasr, two of Al Ain’s most important domestic fixtures.
Little wonder, then, that the club decided to cash in. If the reported transfer fee is true, €20 million (Dh81m), was simply too good to refuse. Gyan will never command that amount again or be able to access such a financial package for himself, deemed to be about €250,000 per week. On all sides, this made sense.
How will Gyan be remembered? Mercenary or model signing? Undoubtedly, his switch to Al Ain in 2011 was motivated by money – Gyan was initially paid €3m for the first year – but the argument stands that he was more than worth the outlay.
Justifiably at the time, he attracted criticism outside the UAE, questions as to why a 25 year-old international would swap the English Premier League to spend his peak years in an emergent league in the Middle East. Yet he has justified that decision.
Since joining Al Ain, Gyan has excelled for Ghana, more recently as captain, often crediting the UAE for helping sustain his international thrive. He has not stagnated here, but strengthened.
His impact on the development of the UAE top flight has been significant, as well. Gyan broke the mould, a player yet to reach the pinnacle of his powers who came not only to protect his future, but to progress, too. He became the league’s luminary, regularly referenced by others to follow suit. In his time at Al Ain, the division’s foreign demographic has gotten progressively younger. Gyan aided that.
Granted, he has departed for one final bounty. But Al Ain and UAE football are better for Gyan’s contribution. Once the dust settles on his lucrative lurch to Shanghai, that is how he should be remembered.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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