Only a few days ago, Ventures Africa sought to break down Africa’s most marketable players at the FIFA World Cup and Ghana’s star striker Asamoah Gyan was one of the shining lights on that list. With news emerging from the Middle East, it appears we were not far off the mark as Al-Ain announced a new bumper four year deal for Gyan.

The contract extension will see Asamoah Gyan remain at the UAE club until 2018 thus ensuring that the 28-year-old will keep up with his excellent form since joining the Dubai-based club from Sunderland in 2011. In his three years in Dubai, Gyan has become the most important player at the club scoring an astonishing 103 goals in 92 matches.

The new deal will see Asamoah Gyan earn a staggering $52 million over the next four years with his weekly wage pegged at $250,000. The biggest incentive for Gyan though, is that his wages and earnings in the UAE are tax-free.

Expressing his delight with the new deal, the Ghana striker hinted that he was pleased to have been rewarded for his many successes with the club.

“I am very happy to extend my contract here until 2018 and I thank the club’s board, management and all the fans for their support. I have been happy here since I arrived in 2011 and I hope to help the side to keep winning,” Gyan said.

Asamoah Gyan’s goals have helped Al-Ain win back-to-back league titles and he has started the current season in rich vein of form as he currently ranks as the highest goalscorer in the Asian Champions League.