Bruce relief over Gyan deal
Steve Bruce was relieved to finally grab Asamoah Gyan.
He had missed out on the Ghana striker last summer and thought Gyan was going to join Turkish club Fenerbahce this summer.
But the moment the 24-year-old landed in the North East on Monday night, Bruce at last could believe the transfer would happen.
Gyan was locked in talks at the Academy of Light all day yesterday before the deal was announced at around 5.45pm.
Bruce paid tribute to club owner Ellis Short for his continued backing, which became even more necessary after Fraizer Campbell was ruled out for at least six months with the cruciate ligament tear he suffered against Manchester City at the weekend.
Bruce said: "I have spent a few bob now and the owner has dug deep to make it happen.
"We always wanted to replace Kenwyne Jones. Allowing him to join Stoke was the big decision this summer, but everyone can see now what I was trying to do and thankfully we got our man over the line.
"It became imperative after what happened with Fraizer now he's out for six months.
"A lot of people worked extremely hard and thankfully we have got him.
"It is a fantastic signing for us.
"It is a hell of a lot of money – we all know that, especially in today's climate. Fair play to the owner; he understood the necessity of it. It is a fantastic signing at the right time and after the good result against manchester City on Sunday, it's great that we have managed to bring in another top class striker."
Bruce had already broken the club's transfer record by signing 10million Darren Bent last summer but pushed that up even further with 13m Gyan's arrival.
"I love his enthusiasm," Bruce said. "I tried to sign him last summer and it was not possible. Six weeks ago, I thought he was going to Fenerbache for 16-17million.
"But we've got him and he's got a great appetitite for the game.
"He works extremely hard and will give us something different. He leads the line; he's a traditional No.9 and we will benefit from that.
"I put a wish list down and I am pleased we have been able to tick a few off."
Bruce is still dejected by the news of Campbell's injury, adding: "It's a tragedy. He was just starting to show what he was about, but he will be back.
"That's two we've had now. David Meyler injured his knee in the last game of last season against Manchester United and now Fraizer has done it.
"To have two players inside four Premier League games do their ACL is terrible luck and I hope that's the end of it."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Derby train wrecked
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Kieran Richardson says there is plenty more to come from James McClean
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
