Gyan prepares for Shanghai debut

Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, could make his debut for his new club Shanghai SIPG FC this week after completing a lucrative two-year deal which will see the striker working with former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Gyan, whose decision to leave amoney spinning deal at Emirati side Al Ain for another blockbuster contract in China received mixed was greeted with , is expected to be officially unveiled today ahead of his first game under Swedish trainer Eriksson.

Yesterday the onetime Sunderland player hit the gym to get himself back into shape for the Chinese Super League after a month off competitive football.

His close associate, Samuel Anim Addo, told the Graphic Sports from their Shanghai base that 29-year-old Gyan was working under strict supervision of the club’s physical trainers in preparation for his first match for the title-chasing Shanghai SIPG.

“Asamoah is working hard in the gym, doing a number of exercise drills such as, weightlifting, riding the stationery bicycle using the gym ball,” said Addo, who manages the Asamoah Gyan Foundation.

The player, who will reportedly earn about $350,000 a week at his new club, is expected to hold an official meeting today with Eriksson to discuss their new partnership.

Gyan could be unleashed on Thursday as Shanghai SIPG play host to 11th-placed Tianjin Teda or in next week’s super clash against league leaders Beijing Guoan, who lead Eriksson’s side by just a point on the 16-club log.