What Michael Essien told me before my move to Sunderland - Asamoah Gyan

Former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan has revealed a light-hearted exchange he shared with compatriot Michael Essien before his move to Sunderland.

Following a standout performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Gyan secured a club-record transfer from French side Stade Rennais to the Premier League outfit. In a conversation recounted by the former striker, Essien — then at Chelsea — asked whether Gyan was set to join the English top flight.

Gyan said he responded with a joke, promising that if he did make the move, he would score against Essien’s Chelsea. The pair shared a laugh, and Essien wished him luck — a wish that would soon become reality.

"I remember Michael Essien, who was my national teammate, calling to ask if I was coming to the Premier League, and I remember jokingly saying I was going to score against Chelsea, and we all laughed about it, but he wished me the best of luck, and I scored against Chelsea," the former Liberty Professionals forward told Rio Ferdinand.

Gyan made an immediate impact on his Sunderland debut, scoring after coming off the bench for Danny Welbeck in a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic on September 11, 2010.

He went on to feature 34 times for the Black Cats, netting 10 goals, before moving to UAE side Al Ain on loan — a deal that was later made permanent.