Gyan baffled by Shanghai contract criticism

Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan says he does not understand why he has been criticised in some quarters for signing a lucrative contract with Shanghai SIPG.

Gyan last week penned a two-year deal with the Chinese Super League side that will reportedly earn him €325,000 per week, placing him among the best paid sportsmen in the world.

The 29-year-old has been accused of the move purely for financial reasons, as was the case when he traded Sunderland for UAE outfit Al-Ain 2012.

However, Gyan insists he is merely doing what is right for himself and his close ones.

"I don't understand the criticism," Gyan told BBC Sport. "I work hard for what I earn. I am focused on my job.

"It is not as if I am doing anything illegal or robbing people of their money.

"I have learned to turn the negatives into positives and so I make my decisions and understand that everyone works for money.

"At the end of my career, people will not criticise me anymore. They will move on to the next person.

"And at the end of my career the most important thing will be how well I did for myself, my family and those closest to me.

"This time is my era so I have to make sure I make the most of it."

Gyan has scored a record 48 times for the Black Stars in 90 international appearances.