Last Updated- Feb 1, 2009 14:13 - - 0 Comments


Christian Gyan makes roundabout turn from Rotterdam to the Racecourse

Christian Gyan

Christian Gyan

He has a UEFA Cup winner’s medal, won a Dutch Championship title and is good pals with Chelsea superstar Michael Essien.

But Christian Gyan is facing perhaps his biggest footballing challenge yet – helping Wrexham back into the Football League.

The Ghanaian defender arrived in North Wales this week and immediately found himself in the less-than-glamorous position of sitting on the bench for the Dragons’ 3-3 draw with Northwich Victoria.

Hard to think that the 30-year-old defender spent nine seasons at Dutch giants Feyenoord playing alongside the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Salomon Kalou.

In 2002 he earned one of the biggest prizes in the European game when Feyenoord beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Uefa Cup final.

Gyan admits it was the greatest night of his career, but dismisses suggestions things have gone off the boil for him now as he faces up to life in the non-leagues.

“I do not see things that way,” said Gyan, who arrived at the Racecourse from Finnish side TPS Turku.

“I am very excited to be with Wrexham and my first aim is to try to get into the first team here.

“I do need to improve my fitness as soon as possible.

“I was at home for three months before I came here in the close season in Finland, so I have a lot of work to do.

“I have suffered from injuries, too. I have had a knee operation and do need to rebuild things.

“This is a fresh start for me. Of course I look back at the Uefa Cup final and it is a great memory. I feel proud because it is something not many players get to do in their career.

“But I have a new job to do at Wrexham. I am here until the end of the season and I want to help this club as much as possible.”

In almost a decade in Rotterdam, Gyan managed a perhaps modest 93 appearances for Feyenoord, but became a firm favourite with the locals.

A number of tribute sites to him have sprung up on the internet, a situation Gyan explains away in simple terms.

“I was lucky, the supporters loved me,” he added.

“I think it was because they knew what I was trying to do when I was in the side.

“Feyenoord is a great club and I got to play and train with some great players. My memories are nothing but good.”

If his club days hit the heights, Gyan’s international career with Ghana does contain one major disappointment.

Despite featuring in the qualifiers he missed out on the trip to the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006 due to a groin injury – though on the positive side it was while earning his 23 international caps he became firm friends with Ghanaian compatriot Essien.

“Michael is a good friend of mine and, of course, a great player,” said Gyan.

“I was very proud to play for my country, but to miss out on the World Cup with an injury – well, you could say that was a low time for me.”

Gyan’s road to Wrexham is not as unlikely as it sounds. While in Finland, John Allen, a coach at Turku who hails from Wales, spotted his talents and recommended him to Dragons’ boss Dean Saunders.

The full-back, who can also operate in midfield, is now training with his new team-mates and looking to force his way into the Wrexham side as they push for promotion.

Gyan said he was impressed by what he had witnessed at the Racecourse so far, but admitted he was not too familiar with Saunders’ record as manager.

“Of course I knew of Dean Saunders as a good player at Liverpool, but I did not know he was a manager,” said Gyan.

“Everything is very positive at the club and everyone is working very hard to try to get out of this league.

“There is a good atmosphere and a lot of good players and there is a big hope we can move upwards.”

But Gyan is not just relying on the power of football to see the Dragons through.

A committed Christian, he has also called upon a higher power to help in Wrexham’s quest.

He added: “God has helped me throughout my career and is very important to all areas of my life.

“I am praying already that Wrexham can have their dreams come true this season.”

Source: Wales on Sunday

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