The Ghana striker stunned manager Steve Bruce when he asked to join mega-rich United Arab Emirates club AlAin in the summer just 12 months after joining Sunderland in a club record ?13m deal.
Rich pickings: Asamoah Gyan has no regrets about leaving Sunderland
And Gyan insists he has no regrets over swapping the Premier League for a football backwater.
'I know people will be wondering why I moved to the Middle East, but it's up to me,' he said.
'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 theyagreed. There was no problem.'
Back to front: Striker Gyan says he could return to Sunderland
Gyan also claimed he was still on good terms with Bruce and could return to the North-East when his ?6m season-long loan to Al Ain runs out.
'Steve Bruce is like my father. He brought me to Sunderland for a recordfee of ?13million. But that's life. I'm doing my job and he's doing hisjob.
'He's working under Sunderland and I'm also working under Sunderland.
'There was no confrontation with Steve. He is still my father. He gave me confidence. I'm always ready to work with him again.
'I don't know whether I will work with Steve again. It's a loan deal. I'm enjoying my football now and then we'll see what happens at the end of the season. There's options in the contract.'
Gyan also claimed he can be a trailblazer for football in the Middle East ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
'I feel on top of my game, I'm helping my country, we've got the African Cup of Nations coming up. People look up to us and we're hopeful we can do well,' he said.
'I'm enjoying my football there. I've started to score some goals, I'm enjoying myself and it's a new experience for me.
'The weather is sometimes too hot. It's hard to play. Maybe it will get better next month.
'But football-wise it's improving. A lot of players are coming to the Middle East to play.
'Who knows? I might bring exposure to the league.
'Maybe big players will follow me to the league.
'The English league is regarded as one of the best in the world - but it had to start somewhere.
'The reception I got in the UAE was magnificent. The fans all watch the Premier League and then all of a sudden there I am playing there.
'I'm improving as a player. I'm somebody. I'm a funny guy, I joke a lot and yet when I'm on the field I concentrate very hard. I'm still playing well and I work hard, OK?'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail