Sunderland new boy delighted with ‘dream’ move

Sunderland new boy Asamoah Gyan plans to play with a smile on his face at the Stadium of Light.

The Ghana striker, signed for £13m from French club Rennes, has a reputation for enjoying his football - and he doesn't plan to change now that he has arrived in England.

"I play with a smile on my face, that's my philosophy," he said. "I always say football is not a fight, football is fun. Ok, there is passion, but you don't need to fight.

"You can just play with happiness. If you have fear or problems it's very difficult to play but right now I am very confident.

"I did so well for my club last season and I had a good World Cup so my confidence is high. I have always dreamed of playing in England and I have always followed English football and I want to show what I can do."

Gyan scored three goals in the World Cup for Ghana before missing a penalty in the last minute of a dramatic quarter-final against Uruguay that would have won the game.

He was praised for his mental strength, however, when he subsequently volunteered to take Ghan's opening penalty in the shoot-out - and scored.

Ghana still lost the shoot-out but his actions made Gyan a national hero.