Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan reveals Sunderland key role in persuading him to move to the UAE

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has revealed that English side Sunderland were hugely motivated by money when they approved his move to UAE side Al Ain insisting they 'convinced' and 'persuaded' them.

The attacker's revelation shows that the Black Cats were hugely interested in their financial benefits from his shock move to the UAE-based in 2012 which was widely condemned as greed on the part of the player.

Gyan implied he was reluctant to move to the UAE until officials of Sunderland convinced him that it would offer an equally attractive platform for his to showcase his talents.

Having endured criticism at the time for being money-orientated, the 30-year-old - now playing for Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG - insists the decision to move him on from the Stadium of Light was Sunderland's.

'They convinced me to go,' he told Ghana Live TV. 'They persuaded me to go so when they said that I said 'OK, (it) is because of the money'.

'I didn't understand the business-wise (sic). They told me when I came there publicity was very good, they were making a lot of money in selling my shirts, so in business-wise (sic) it was going well for the club.

'So after they persuaded me, I had to call my family. I called my brother, my dad, my mom, and they told me that if that is what Sunderland are saying and I think (it) is a good deal then I can go for the loan.'

The Ghanaian international joined the Black Cats in a club record £13 million move from French club Rennes in August 2010, signing a four-year contract.

He scored 11 goals in 37 appearances on Wearside, before moving to the Middle East - initially on a season-long loan - in September 2011 amid reports suggesting he had quadrupled his wages.

Come July 2012, he signed a five-year deal with Al Ain believed to be worth around £6 million-per-season.