Who is Asamoah Gyan?
Asamoah Gyan is a former Ghanaian professional footballer, author, entertainer, and businessman. He is a former Captain of the Ghana Senior National team, the Black Stars, and a former player of Liberty Professionals and Legon Cities Football Club in Ghana. Gyan has played football for foreign clubs like Sunderland F.C. and Al Ain Football Club in the United Arab Emirates.
Around the world, Asamoah Gyan is recognized for the penalty he missed for the Ghana team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match against Suarez’s Uruguay in South Africa. He is celebrated for his International record at the Black Stars. He is the author of LeGyanDery, a book containing his autobiography, and he owns Baby Jet Airlines, the Asamoah Gyan Foundation, and other firms in Ghana.
Profile Summary of Asamoah Gyan
Real name: Asamoah Gyan
Nicknames: Baby Jet/Monko
Age: 38 years old
Date of Birth: November 22, 1985
Nationality: Ghanaian
Hometown: Wenchi, Brong Ahafo Region
Tribe: Akan
Profession: Footballer
Position: Striker
Height: 6ft 1ins
Current Club: None
Instagram: asamoah_gyan3
Twitter(X): ASAMOAH_GYAN3
Facebook: None
Interests: Dancing, Singing, Football, Tennis.
Early Life & Family Background
Gyan was born on November 22, 1985, in Accra, Ghana. He is 38 years old and comes from Wenchi, in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Gyan’s mother is the late Mrs. Cecilia Love Gyan Baffour Mensah, and his father is Mr. Baffour Gyan Mensah, aka Asaase Jay. Gyan has three siblings, and he is the last child of his parents. He grew up in Accra.
Parents
Mrs. Cecilia Love Gyan Baffour Mensah and Mr. Baffour Gyan Mensah are the parents of Asamoah Gyan. Mr. Baffour is alive, but Mrs. Cecilia Baffour is late. She lost her life on November 6, 2012, after she was involved in a car accident. Cecilia was a trader born to a Ghanaian father from Mampongten, Ashanti Region, and a Ghanaian mother from Wenchi, Bono Region. Gyan’s mum lived in Wenchi, Fie kɛse, and when she met her husband, Mr. Baffour, who is also a native of Wenchi, they both came to live in Accra.
Brothers & Sisters
Asamoah Gyan has a sister and two brothers. Mavis Mensah Gyan is the eldest sibling of Baby Jet, followed by Baffour Gyan (Former Blackstars player) and Michael Opoku Gyan.
Educational Background
Gyan completed Seven Great Princess Academy in Dansoman in 1999, proceeded to Accra Academy in 2000, and finished in 2002. It was during their time that high school was two years.
Wife & Children
He has an ex-wife called Gifty, and they have three Children. Gyan’s children are Fredrick, Raphael, and Zelda, aka Ohemaa.
Read also: Bola Ray Biography and net worth
Career
In Basic School, whenever Asamoah Gyan was asked what he wanted to become in the future, he always said a soccer star. He discovered his football talent at age nine(9) and was playing for United Kingdom Babies, an Under 10 team at New Gbawe, a suburb of Accra, where he lived with his parents and siblings. Asamoah proceeded to play Colts football at Mamprobi in Accra, and he joined a team named Mighty Victory at Mamprobi.
However, when Baby Jet was playing for Mighty Victory, he joined Liberty Academy in Dansoman, Accra, and was playing for both Mighty Victory and Liberty Academy. During one of Gyan’s training sessions with Liberty Academy, the late Coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, who was coaching the Senior Side of Liberty professionals in those days, saw Asamoah Gyan’s exceptional talent and picked him to play for the Senior Side Liberty Professionals. Asamoah Gyan joined the Ghana Premier League Club in 2003, a year after SHS. At that time, his Senior brother Baffour Gyan had left the Ghana Premier League Club Liberty Professionals.
Liberty Professionals F.C (2003)
Asamoah Gyan played in the 2003 Ghana Premier League competition for Liberty Professional F.C. He made sixteen League match appearances and scored ten (10) goals for the club. He was the third top goal scorer for the Ghana Premier League season, and after the League, he signed his first foreign contract and joined his first foreign club, Udinese Calcio.
Udinese Calcio (2003-2004, 2006-2008)
Gyan joined Udinese in Italy in July 2003 on a five-year deal but spent only three seasons with the club (2003-2004, 2006-2008) and two seasons on loan at Modena (2004-2006). Gyan scored eleven (11) goals for Udinese for all three seasons spent at the club and made thirty-nine league match Appearances.
Ghana (2006 FIFA World Cup Qualification – Preliminary Rounds, Nov 2003)
In November 2003, Asamoah Gyan got a call-up to the senior national team, Black Stars, at age 17, a few days before he turned 18. He played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Qualification – Preliminary Round 1 game against Somalia on November 16, 2003, at the Accra Sports Stadium and scored his first goal for the Ghana National Team. Ghana won the match by 5-0. The goal scorers were Nana Arhin Duah, who scored two goals in the 21′ and 56′, Isaac Boakye, also netting two goals in the 69′ and 89′, and then Asamoah Gyan, who scored in the 82′ when he came into the game in the second half. In the Preliminary Round 2 game against Somalia, on November 19, 2003, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Asamoah Gyan played in the second half, and Ghana beat Somalia again by 2-0. The two goals were scored by Stephen Appiah and Lawrence Adjei.
Modena (Loan, 2004-2006)
From 2004 to 2006, when Asamoah Gyan moved from Udinese to Modena on a two-year loan, he made fifty-three league appearances and scored fifteen goals for Modena. He returned to his contracted club, Udinese, in 2006, and 2018, he left the club and moved to Rennes.
Ghana (2006 World Cup Qualifiers (Africa Zone) – Group Stage (Group 2), June 2004)
In June 2004, Asamoah Gyan featured in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers (Africa Zone) – Group Stage (Group 2) matches after his second appearance for Ghana in the Preliminary rounds. Gyan scored in Ghana’s second game against Uganda on July 3, 2004, in the 88′, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and in Ghana against Dr. Congo’s game on March 27, 2005, in the 30′, which also ended in a 1-1 draw. He also scored a goal in Black Stars’ last game against Cape Verde on October 8, 2005, in the 75′, which Cape Verde lost to Ghana 4-0. In all, Gyan scored three goals for Ghana in the 2006 WC Qualifiers – Group Stage Tournament.
Ghana (Olympic Football Tournaments in Athens – Men, August 11, 2004 -August 28, 2004)
In August 2004, Asamoah Gyan was among the Ghana squad that played for Ghana in the 2004 Olympics Football Tournament in Athens. The short competition saw the Ghana team exit in the first round. Argentina emerged as Champions of the 2004 Olympic Football Tournament on August 28, 2004.
Ghana (2006 World Cup in Germany, June 09, 2006 – July 09, 2006)
In June 2006, Gyan participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He scored a goal in the Tournament for the Black Stars in Ghana’s 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic in the 2′ on June 17, and Sulley scored the second goal in 82′. Asamoah Gyan’s goal was the fastest in the 2006 World Cup Competition. Unfortunately, Ghana exited in the Round of 16 match against Brazil after they were beaten 3-0. Italy won the 2006 World Cup in their final game against France on July 6.
Ghana (2008 Africa Cup of Nations/Confederation of African Cup CAN 2008)
Gyan also participated in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted by Ghana from January 20, 2008 – February 10, 2008. Asamoah Gyan played in the first game of the competition against Guinea on January 20 and scored a penalty for Ghana in the 55′. Ghana won by 2-1, and Sulley Muntari scored the second goal in the 90′. Gyan also played in the second game against Namibia on January 24, 2008, the third game against Morocco on January 28, the Quarterfinals game against Nigeria on February 3, and the game for 3rd place against Ivory Coast on February 9. He missed the Semi-Finals against Cameroon on February 7. However, Ghana placed third at the end of the Competition after beating Ivory Coast 4-2 on February 9, 2008, and Egypt emerged Champions of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Ghana after beating Cameroon 1-0 on February 10, 2008, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Rennes (2008 – 2010)
After Gyan’s contract with Udinese ended in 2008, he signed for Rennes in France on July 11, 2008. He spent two seasons at the club, scored 14 goals, and moved to a new club, Sunderland F.C., in 2010.
Ghana (2010 Africa Cup of Nations, Jan 10, 2010 – Jan 31, 2010)
Asamoah Gyan participated in all the Ghana matches at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. He scored a penalty in the 90 + 3′ in Ghana’s 4-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on January 15. He also scored the only goal for Ghana in the Quarterfinal match against Angola in the 16′ on January 24, and again the only Goal for the Ghana National Team in their Semi-Final game against Nigeria on Jan 28 in the 21′. Ghana made it to the finals of the 2010 African Cup of Nations, but Egypt scored Ghana 1-0 on January 31 to win the Trophy. The Ghana National Team placed second in the 2010 AFCON, and Asamoah Gyan was the third top goal scorer at the end of the tournament. He scored three goals for Ghana.
Sunderland (August 2010)
Asamoah Gyan joined his next club, Sunderland, from Rennes, in August 2010. He officially signed a four-year contract with the Club on August 31. However, he spent only two seasons at the club, scored ten goals, and continued on a loan at Al Ain on September 10, 2011.
Ghana (2010 FIFA World Cup, June 11 – July 11, 2010)
Gyan played for Ghana in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He featured in Ghana’s first match against Serbia on June 13, 2010, and scored the only goal for Ghana in the 84′. He also participated in the second match against Australia and scored the goal for Ghana in 25′ on June 19, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Gyan scored a goal in the 92′ Ghana’s 2-1 victory over the USA in the round of 16 games on June 26. Ghana lost to Uruguay in the Quarterfinal match against Uruguay on July 2, and they exited the tournament, in the Quarter-final stage. Spain won the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa.
Ghana (International Friendly Match Vs. England, March 2011).
After the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Ghana played a friendly game against England on March 29, 2011, and Baby Jet featured in the game and scored the only goal for Ghana in the 90 + 1′ to draw 1-1 with England at the Wembley Sports Stadium, UK.
Al Ain
Gyan joined Al Ain on loan from Sunderland on September 10, 2011. After a year, on July 6, 2012, he signed a contract and permanently joined the Al Ain Club. He became the 2013 Season UAE League top goal scorer and helped Al Ain retain their league title in the 2013 UAE League Season. Asamoah Gyan scored many goals for the club before he moved to Shanghai SIPG in China in 2015.
Ghana (2012 African Cup of Nations, January 21, 2012 – February 12, 2012)
Gyan participated in the 2012 African Cup of Nations and played in Ghana’s first game against Botswana on January 24, 2012, the second game against Mali on January 28, and the third game against Guinea on February 2. He also played in the quarter-final match against Tunisia on February 5 and the semi-final match against Zambia. Ghana lost in the third-place match against Mali on February 11. Though Gyan was on the Bench, he didn’t play in this match. Gambia won the 2012 AFCON after beating Ivory Coast in penalties in the finals on February 12.
Ghana (2013 Africa Cup of Nations, January 19, 2013 – February 10, 2013)
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament was held in South Africa, and Asamoah Gyan was part of the players who played for Ghana in the competition. He featured in Ghana’s first game against DR. Congo, which ended in a 2-2 draw on January 20, the second game against Mali on January 24, and the third game against Niger which he scored the first goal for Ghana in the 6.’ Ghana scored three goals in this match against Niger on January 28. Also, Gyan featured in the quarter-final match against Cape Verde on February 2, 2013, and in the Semi-Final game against Burkina Faso on February 6. Ghana lost to Burkina Faso in penalties, and they played against Mali for the third position on February 9. Gyan played against Mali, but Ghana lost by 3-1.
Ghana (2014 World Cup Qualification, June 2, 2012 – September 9, 2013)
Baby Jet Asamoah Gyan was named in the Ghana Squad for the 2014 World Cup Qualification matches, which started on June 2, 2012. He played in Ghana’s third (Group 4) game against Sudan on March 23, 2013, and scored a goal in the 20′ in Black Stars’ 4-1 victory over Sudan at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. He scored twice in the 3-1 Away Victory game against the Sudan National Team at the Al-Merrikh Stadium in Sudan in the 21′ and 58′ on June 7, 2013. Sulley Muntari scored the third goal for Ghana in the 84′.
Ghana (2014 FIFA World Cup, June 12, 2014 – July 13, 2014)
Asamoah Gyan played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup for the Ghana National Team in Brazil. He participated in Ghana’s first game against the United States of America (USA) on June 16, 2014, but Ghana lost by 2-1, and it was Dede Ayew who scored the one goal for Ghana in the 81′. Gyan also played in Ghana’s 2-2 draw against Germany on June 21, and he scored the second goal for Ghana in the 62′, while Dede Ayew scored the first goal in the 53′. Asamoah Gyan again scored in Ghana’s third game against Portugal in the 56′ on June 26. The match ended 2-1 against Ghana, and one of Portugal’s goals was an own goal scored by John Boye in the 30′ and their second goal was scored by Christiano Ronaldo in the 79′. The Black Stars couldn’t make it to the next stage of the competition after this match.
Ghana (2015 Africa Cup of Nations, January 17, 2015 – February 8, 2015)
Gyan also participated in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament, which started on January 17 in Equatorial Guinea. He missed the first game against Senegal, in which Ghana lost 2-1 on January 19 at the Estadio de Mongomo. However, Gyan played in the second game against Algeria and scored the winning goal for Ghana in the 90 + 2′. He also played in the third game against South Africa on January 27, the Quarter Final against Guinea on February 1, 2015, the semi-final game against the host Nation Equatorial Guinea, and the finals against Ivory Coast on February 8, 2015. Ghana lost in the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, which ended 9-8.
Shanghai (July 2015)
In July 2015, Baby Jet joined a new club, Shanghai SIPG, in China. He signed a two-year contract with the club and became one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. Asamoah was paid £225,000 per week. However, he spent a season on loan at Shaban Al-Ahli Club in Dubai. After Gyan’s one season on loan at Al Ahli, he joined Kayserispor.
Ghana (2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualification (Group H), June 12, 2015 – September 4, 2016)
Ghana was placed in Group H after the draw for the Qualifiers for the 2017 Africa of Nations was held on April 8, 2015. The Ghana team was in the same group with Mauritius, Rwanda, and Mozambique. Asamoah Gyan featured in the Qualification matches for Ghana, first and second-round games, and scored two goals in Ghana’s 7-1 Victory over Mauritius. He scored in the 22′ and 29′ at the Accra Sports Stadium on June 14, 2015. Ghana qualified for the 2017 AFCON Tournament in Gabon after they played their Round 2 matches of the qualifiers on September 3, 2016.
Ghana (2017 Africa Cup of Nations, January 14, 2017 – February 5, 2017)
At the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, Asamoah Gyan played in the Black Stars’ first match against Uganda on January 17. He scored the winning goal for Ghana in their second match against Mali on January 21 and featured in the third match against Egypt on January 25. He also played in the Quarterfinal match against DR. Congo on January 29, the Semi-Final game against Cameroon on February 2, and the third-place match against Burkina Faso, which they were defeated by 1-0. Cameroon won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament after scoring Egypt 2-1 on February 5, 2017, at the Stade d’Angondjé in Libreville, Gabon.
Kayserispor (July 2017)
Asamoah Gyan joined the Turkish football club Kayserispor on July 5, 2017. He spent two seasons at the club and left in August 2019.
Ghana (2019 Africa Cup of Nations, June 21, 2019 – July 19, 2019)
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt was the last tournament Asamoah played for Ghana. He missed Ghana’s first game against Benin, which ended in a 2-2 draw on June 25, 2019, but played in the second game against Cameroon, which ended in a 0-0 draw on June 29. Gyan also missed Ghana’s third game against Guinea-Bissau on July 2, which ended in a 2-0 win, and played in the round of 16 game against Tunisia on July 8, which was the last game Ghana played in the tournament. The Stars exited the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in the round of sixteen (16). Senegal and Algeria were the teams that made it to the finals, and Algeria won the finals on July 19, 2019.
NorthEast United
From Kayserispor, Asamoah Gyan joined NorthEast United in India. He joined NorthEast in September 2019. After almost a year at the club, he was released by the club on January 20 due to an injury he suffered. However, he scored four goals for the club and made eight appearances before his injury.
Legon Cities F.C
In November 2020, months after Asamoah Gyan returned to Ghana, he joined Legon Cities football and played his first match for the Ghana Premier League Club against Medeama. He also featured in the Ghana FA Cup Competition. After that, Baby Jet has been without a club.
Goals for Ghana
Asamoah Gyan has scored 51 goals for the Ghana National Team (Black Stars) and made 109 appearances.
Football Awards
- AFIC 2012 Top Scorer.
- Certificate of Merit by Ghana League Club Association (LG Top 4 Soccer 2002).
- Certificate of Recognition – 36th MTN Swag Awards.
- 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14 GCC Golden Boot.
- 2013/14, 2014/15 UAE President’s Cup Top Scorer.
- Footballer of the Decade – Ghana Football Awards 2021.
- Orange Man of the Match – 2015 AFCON.
Honours
Ghana
- 2008 Africa Cup of Nations – 3rd Place.
- 2010 Africa Cup of Nations – 2nd Place.
- 2015 Africa Cup of Nations – 2nd Place.
Rennes
• 2008/2009 Coupe de France – 2nd Place.
Al Ain
- 2011/12 UAE Pro League Champions, 2012/13, and 2014/2015.
- 2012 UAE Super Cup Champions
- 2013/14 President’s Cup Champions
Music Career
Aside from football, Asamoah Gyan is an entertainer. He sings, and he started singing when he was just a boy. Gyan has a band called the Asa Band and has a number of songs he has released. He has a song with Stonebwoy, Kianni, and songs with Castro.
Music Awards
- Best Collaboration of the Year – MTN Music Awards Festival 2011.
Tennis Career
Gyan is also a good Tennis player. He plays Tennis most of the time and has won some Tennis Awards. In 2020, he was given an award when he emerged as 1st runner-up after participating in the 18th Accra Senior Open Tennis Championship 2020.
House
Asamoah Gyan owns a mansion on top of a hill at Weija, Accra. The luxurious home is worth three million dollars and has a swimming pool, cinema, big flat-screen televisions, and more. He has another house at East Legon, Accra.
Asamoah Gyan mansion at Weija.
Asamoah Gyan Cars and East Legon House.
Cars
He has more than seven cars. They include a white Hammer car, a gold Rolls Royce Phantom, a red Cadillac Escalade, a white Benz, a Black Dodge Charger, and a white Toyota Land Cruiser.
Asamoah Gyan Cars.
Asamoah Gyan Businesses
Asamoah Gyan owns a football Academy, Paradise Pac Water Company (manufacturers of Paradise Pac Mineral Water), Baby Jet Airlines, Baby Jet Promotions, Asa Band, JetLinks Event and Logistics, BJ’s Restaurant and Sports Bar in Osu, and Baby Jet Plaza.
Net worth
Gyan has an estimated net worth of $32 million. Gyan is among the richest young business moguls in Ghana and one of the top five richest Ghanaian footballers. His sources of income are his Investments and businesses.
FAQs about Asamoah Gyan
• How old is Asamoah Gyan?
He is 38 years old as of 2024.
• Asamoah Gyan World Cup Goals?
He has scored 6 World Cup goals in 11 matches.