Al Ain's star striker Asamoah Gyan has pledged his future to the Garden City club after signing a contract extension until 2018, it was announced on Thursday. 

Gyan, who joined Al Ain permanently in 2012 after spending a season on loan at the Arabian Gulf League side, has been a massive success in the UAE – scoring a total of 82 league goals in just 66 games. The 28-year-old played a crucial role in helping Al Ain to back-to-back league titles in 2012 and 2013.

There was speculation that Gyan could leave The Boss this summer following Ghana's World Cup campaign, during which he became the highest scoring African player in World Cup history.

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However, much to the delight of Al Ain fans, Gyan will remain at the club for a further four seasons after penning an extension to his existing deal.

“I am very happy to extend my contract here until 2018 and I thank the club’s board, management and all the fans for their support,” he told Asamoahgyan3.com.

“I have been happy here since I arrived in 2011 and I hope to help the side to keep winning.”

Gyan has joined up with his Al Ain teammates to prepare for the AFC Champions League quarter-final tie against Al Ittihad, with the first leg scheduled at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on August 19.