'The World Cup lifted his game to a whole new level' - will Sunderland's record-signing Asamoah Gyan be a success in England?

After transfer deadline day passed on Wearside, Steve Bruce and Sunderland fans could relax. Not only had the Black Cats boss got his man, he had broken the club's transfer record in the process by completing the signing of Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan for a fee of around £13 million.

Ghana's shining light, who went some way to illuminating the first World Cup to be held in Africa, propels ahead of £10m man Darren Bent as Sunderland's record arrival, but is it fair to say Bruce is really getting value for money in the deal that proved to be transfer deadline day's most expensive new addition to the Premier League?

"Sunderland have nothing to regret in splashing out on him"

Having broken the bank and spent more on a striker than had previously been splashed out on the third top goalscorer in the Premier League last term, the first question Sunderland fans will surely want answering surrounds exactly what Gyan will bring to the table.

Well, as Goal.com's Ghanaian correspondent Kent Mensah explains, Gyan is an explosive player with speed to burn who isn't one to shirk an aerial challenge.

"He's got the pace, radiates with power and usually goes for most aerial balls at the mercy of defenders without requiring spring," Mensah says. "Sunderland have nothing to regret in splashing out on him."

Gyan was something of a flop during his time in Serie A with Udinese, where he was shipped out on loan to Serie B side Modena for a couple of seasons, never really fulfilling his potential in Italy before he was finally sold to Rennes in 2008.

"Perhaps his playing style wasn't so suited to Serie A as he relied more on his physical attributes"

That said, despite not finding his feet in Serie A,Goal.com International's Italy expert Carlo Garganese feels the forward may just be perfectly suited to the "hustle and bustle" of the Premier League.

"Perhaps his playing style wasn't so suited to Serie A as he relied more on his physical attributes such as speed and reactions rather than technique and tactics," he said.

"He should enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, but he has never been prolific during his career and has only once hit double figures in Europe, which perhaps explains why he is joining Sunderland and not a bigger club in England."

One of the primary concerns for Black Cats supporters will undoubtedly be Gyan's rather questionable record in front of goal but, having hit three during the World Cup finals in South Africa, the 24-year-old from Accra has proved he can deliver the goods on the world stage.

Asamoah Gyan Nickname: Baby Jet Date of Birth: 22 Nov 1985 Place of Birth: Accra, Ghana Nationality: Ghanaian Height: 180cm Weight: 77kg Position: Striker Ex-clubs: Liberty Professionals, Udinese, Modena (loan), Rennes

As Goal.com's France expert Robin Bairner points out, Gyan appeared to thrive on the responsibility, pressure and expectation of leading his country's attack before Ghana eventually crashed out on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

"The World Cup served to showcase the rejuvenated Gyan to a broader audience, and lifted his game to a new level as he revelled in the responsibility of leading his country's offence," he said.

"Sunderland fans can expect the quick, strong Ghanaian to be a valuable contributor over the course of the season. Confidence will be key though, and a good start is important. More good news for his new club is that the ever-smiling 24-year-old seems to have put the worst of his physical concerns behind him."

Forging a successful partnership with perennial Premier League goalscorer Darren Bent could be key to determining the degree of success Gyan will enjoy during his time in English football and Bairner feels that the Ghanaian's work rate should stand him in good stead in that respect.

"Gyan possesses the work ethic to offer himself as a useful partner for Bent"

"Gyan possesses the work ethic to offer himself as a useful partner for Bent, but has been used to playing a central role for both club and country over the last two years, able to consider himself the primary forward," he added.

"How he adjusts to playing with a strike partner more likely to grab the goalscoring spotlight remains open for debate."

So all eyes will be on Gyan when he likely makes his debut at Wigan on September 11. And with clashes against Arsenal and Liverpool to follow immediately after, we should soon know a whole lot more about just what sort of impact Ghana's striking sensation will have on the Premier League.