Former Premier League striker Asamoah Gyan, once one of the ten highest-paid players in world football, was left with just £597 in his bank account after squandering his multi-million-pound fortune. The 40-year-old Ghanaian cult hero, best known for his World Cup exploits, has since rebuilt his life through boxing promotion, philanthropy, and food and drink ventures.
World Cup heroics and Premier League stint
Gyan rose to prominence playing for Ghana in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, most notably missing a penalty against Uruguay in the 2010 quarter-final. He began his career in Ghana before joining Udinese as a teenager, later playing for Modena, Rennes, and Sunderland. The move to Sunderland made him the club's record signing, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances, including a last-gasp equaliser against Newcastle.
Massive wages and rapid decline
Gyan moved to Al-Ain in the UAE and then to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG, where he reportedly earned £227,000 per week, making him the eighth-best paid player globally. He splashed out on a golden Rolls Royce, but by 2018 he admitted he was virtually broke, revealing his bank balance stood at just £597. In an interview with Ghanaian media, he said, 'My front and back, up and down is that money you see there.'
Legal battles and asset loss
Compounding his financial woes, Gyan became entangled in an acrimonious annulment battle with his ex-wife. The courtroom dispute involved accusations of infidelity and doubts over paternity, leading to DNA testing that confirmed he was the biological father of his three children. A court ordered him to surrender assets including a UK property, a four-bedroom house in Ghana, a petrol station, and two vehicles.
Rebuilding and new ventures
Gyan has since rebuilt his life, moving into a mansion in Accra, Ghana's capital, as reported by Marca in 2024. He has broadened his portfolio as a boxing promoter, philanthropist, and food and drink entrepreneur. He even established his own airline, Baby Jet, which was granted a licence by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority but folded in 2019 without completing a single flight.
Political involvement and humanitarian work
Gyan ventured into politics, aligning with the centre-right New Patriotic Party, but later distanced himself to focus on humanitarian efforts. In a statement, he said: 'I have not been fair to the youth and people of Ghana. From now on, I am not affiliated with any political party. I will continue my humanitarian work and help the youth of Ghana in my own small way. Nothing political. I wish all of the political parties a peaceful election. God bless our homeland.'
