Former Sunderland man announces retirement age 37

Former Sunderland man Asamoah Gyan has announced his retirement from football, age 37.

Gyan is best remembered in England for his time at Sunderland between 2010 and 2012.

The 109-cap former Ghana international joined from Rennes in what was a club record fee of more than £13million, going on to score on his Premier League debut v Wigan Athletic, and then in his full debut in a League Cup clash v West Ham.

Gyan then scored two goals on his first Premier League start for the Black Cats, in a 2-0 win over Stoke City. Another memorable moment for the striker, who scored 51 goals for his country during his career, was scoring an injury time equaliser v Newcastle United in a 1-1 draw in January 2011.

Gyan finished as the club's highest scorer in the Premier League that season, with the Black Cats finishing in 10th, but the striker left on loan for Al Ain soon after the start of the following campaign.

The move was later made permanent and Gyan would go on to have spells in China, Dubai, Turkey, India, and Ghana, and now after two years out of the game, Gyan officially announced his retirement from football in a heartfelt social media message.

Part of it read:

"A stage that is difficult in every footballer's career, a moment all footballers do not wish but when nature dawns that this voice will keep echoing into the ears."

He added:

"It is time to hang the jersey and boots in glory as I retire officially from active football."