The 25-year-old Ghana international, who helped his country reach the quarterfinals at last year’s World Cup, said he will “deliver here, I’m very sure about that.”
“I’m really, really happy to be here, at an important club like Al Ain,” Gyan said at a news conference, adding that he came to the Persian Gulf emirate “for the challenge and the experience of the place.”
The terms of Gyan’s deal with Al Ain were not revealed.
Although Gyan is on a season-long loan, Sunderland coach Steve Bruce said Saturday the player’s return was unlikely.
However, Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said Monday that Gyan could be recalled to the northeast team after his loan spell finishes, but “will need to convince Steve, the board and every Sunderland fan of his commitment to this club if he is to return.”
Quinn added that Gyan would be making a “sizeable donation” to the Sunderland Foundation for each month he is away on loan.
Last year, Gyan became Sunderland’s record signing. He scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for the Premier League club, but failed to settle into English football.
Gyan said he needed “a change in environment.”
“I’ve played in Europe for a while and I’m here to see how is the Asian league,” Gyan said. “Hopefully, I will help the team win some cups and then see where my future lies.”
Gyan joined Sunderland for the club’s record of 13 million pounds ($20 million). He was previously with French club Rennes.
Gyan is the fourth foreign player the club has signed in recent weeks ahead of the new season starting Oct. 15.
Argentina’s Ignacio Scocco, Mirel Radoi of Romania and Saudi Arabia’s Yasser Al-Qahtani are the three other new players on the team.
Al Ain is owned by Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi. The club finished tenth in the first-division UAE Pro League last season.
