Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has rejected claims that he left Premiership side Sunderland on loan to Al Ain for the money.

Gyan joined the United Arab Emirates club on a year-long deal after the transfer window shut in September, netting him a wage reported to be over €117,000 a week and Sunderland a €7m million loan fee.

The striker admitted that money does come into things in life, but says it was not the main factor behind his decision to accept the deal, saying his family was more important.

Gyan told reporters: “In life you need two things. You need to be happy and you need to look after yourself money-wise.

“Whoever said I went for money needs to think twice.

“I made a decision with my family and the most important thing was for me to be happy and to be with my family.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision. I had to decide with my family. My family is more important to me.

“I made the decision and it was Sunderland who agreed on the deal. It was Sunderland and me who did the deal. I couldn’t have gone unless they agreed. There was no problem.

“I know people will be wondering why I moved to the Middle East, but it’s up to me.”