Asamoah Gyan completes Shanghai move

Asamoah Gyan has penned a two-year deal with Shanghai SIPG and is set to be unveiled by the Chinese Super League side early next week, the Ghana skipper said on Friday.

The 29-year-old striker confirmed on his official website that he had signed a contract, which has an option for a renewal, after completing a routine medical.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but local media have reported he would be earning in excess of the $250,000 per week he was receiving at UAE champions Al Ain.

A report on Gyan's website said the club would hold an official unveiling when Shanghai return from Sunday's league match at Guangzhou R&F.

Gyan was immensely popular during his four-year stint at Al Ain, where he scored 95 goals in 83 matches, but the Emirati team said the offer from the title-chasing Chinese side was too good to refuse.

 
Gyan's arrival marks the latest big-money signing in China, where the top clubs have splashed out millions of dollars on high-profile players such as Demba Ba and Paulinho, with Brazilian forward Robinho also expected to join their ranks.

Lukman Haruna joins Russian club on loan

Russian Premier League newcomers FC Anzhi Makhachkala have secured the signature of Nigerian midfielder Lukman Haruna on loan from Dynamo Kiev.

The former Golden Eaglets star, who represented Nigeria at the FIFA U17 World cup in 2007, has put pen to paper on a six-month contract which will see him remain at Anzhi Arena until December 31, 2015.

This is a reunion of sorts for Haruna and manager Semin, who tutored him at Dynamo Kiev from 2011 - 2012.

In his first words after the deal was completed, the superlative midfielder expressed delight at joining the Russian side.

“I am very grateful to Yuri because he invited me to Anzhi, I really like to work with him.

“Glad to be here, and intend to do everything in my power to make the team finish the season in the top five. I will also want to thank my family for staying put with me and my fans back home in Nigeria, and am sure i won’t let anyone down.

Haruna is tied to Dynamo Kiev until June 30, 2016.

Musa Amadu confirms receipt of FIFA’s letter

The General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu, has confirmed receipt of a letter from world football governing body.

Amodu shot down a report being circulated online by some persons that he denied receiving the letter from FIFA, which firmly supported the majority decision of the NFF 2014 Electoral Appeals Committee.

“How can I deny receiving a letter that was addressed directly to me? I don’t know where that report is coming from.

NFF 

“I duly received the letter and my position is that we now have peace of mind to focus on our plans and programmes for the development of Nigeria football.”

FIFA on Tuesday upheld the majority decision of the NFF 2014 Electoral Appeals Committee that upheld, in its entirety, the NFF 2104 Elective Congress of 30th September, 2014 in Warri. That Elective Congress brought into office Amaju Melvin Pinnick as NFF President, with other persons also into the NFF Executive Committee for a four –year term.

FIFA’s letter, signed by the Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, also disclosed that arrangements are being concluded for a meeting between FIFA President, Sepp Blatter and Pinnick.