20 of the best foreign players to have played in the Chinese Super League

3 – Asamoah Gyan

Gyan was on fire for Al-Ahli in Dubai

In 2011 Sunderland sent Asamoah Gyan out on loan to UAE club Al-Ahli. Gyan became a huge success there, winning the title with his club, and in the process scoring 24 times in 27 games to claim the league’s top scorer award. He returned on a permanent deal the following season, retaining the title and finishing as top scorer again with 28 goals in 32 games. In his final season with the club, the Ghana captain scored a ridiculous 44 goals in 40 games.

Gyan then left the UAE to join Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League. His transfer fee was undisclosed, but his paycheck of £227,000 per week was very much public knowledge. The 30-year-old beat the keeper on 7 occasions in 20 games for Shanghai SIPG, and has now returned on loan once more to Al-Ahli in the UAE.