Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan appointed player liaison for Black Stars

Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has been appointed as Clubs and Player Relations Manager by the Ghana Football Association.

The appointment brings the country's record goalscorer into the national team's backroom staff and comes just four months after he was named an ambassador for Ghana's national teams.

The GFA announced the appointment Monday, saying Gyan will act as a link between the technical staff, players and their clubs, with responsibility for communication over call-ups and player welfare. He will also provide mentorship and support to the squad.

"As Clubs and Player Relations Manager, Gyan will serve as a key liaison between the technical team, players and clubs, facilitate communication around player call-ups and welfare, and provide mentorship and support to the playing body," the GFA said in a statement.

"His experience, leadership and deep connection with the current generation of players is expected to be a major asset for the team."

This new position gives Gyan a more direct role with the Black Stars, with the GFA describing it as, "a new strategic role that will focus on strengthening the relationship between the national team, players, and their respective clubs, as well as improving player welfare and engagement."

It comes after his appointment in May when he was named Ambassador for Ghana's National Teams and Colts Football. That brief was focused on promotion, fan engagement, corporate partnerships and youth football.

The former Sunderland striker joins the Black Stars setup as Ghana begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign following their run to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

Carlos Queiroz will oversee the campaign after the GFA reappointed the Portuguese coach earlier this month, two months after Ghana's World Cup was ended by a 1-0 loss to Colombia.

Gyan's appointment now puts one of Ghana's most experienced former internationals between Queiroz's technical staff, the players and their clubs and also expands his formal involvement with the federation.

When the 40-year-old was unveiled as Ambassador for Ghana's National Teams in May, shortly before the Black Stars left for the FIFA World Cup in North America, he pledged to serve with passion.

"I am truly honoured by this recognition," Gyan said at the time. "I want to thank the President and the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association for believing in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. Ghana football has given me everything, and I will continue to serve this country with passion and dedication."

The former captain is Ghana's all-time leading scorer with 51 international goals. He represented the Black Stars at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups and scored six goals, the most by an African player in the men's tournament.

He scored Ghana's first World Cup goal against the Czech Republic in 2006 and four years later helped the Black Stars reach the quarterfinals in South Africa. He later captained the national team before making his final international appearance in 2019.

Ghana, who missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, have been drawn with Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia in qualifying for the 2027 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.