SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn yesterday hinted Asamoah Gyan could have a future at the club, despite completing a shock loan move to United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain.

Quinn released a statement yesterday which outlined the reasons behind the Ghanaian's surprise departure.

Hours before Sunderland's home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, news broke that Gyan had completed a season-long loan deal with Al-Ain.

Only 24 hours earlier, manager Steve Bruce had accused Gyan's representatives of unsettling the player by trying to broker a move from Wearside, but was convinced the saga had come to an end with the transfer window now closed.

The player's remarkable U-turn prompted an angry response from a baffled Bruce, with the boss admitting it was unlikely the striker would return at the end of his loan.

However, Quinn says Gyan could return next summer, but admits the Ghana international will have to convince everyone he is committed to the club if that is to happen.

He said: "Steve's frustrations towards the player, expressed minutes after the Chelsea game, were understandable at such a time but I can reveal that since then Asamoah and Steve have made contact and they are on good terms.

"The olive branch is now there for Asamoah, but he will need to convince Steve, the board and every Sunderland fan of his commitment to this club if he is to return.

"I am delighted, however, that he has agreed to make a sizeable donation to SAFC Foundation for each month that he is away on loan."

Quinn, speaking on the club's website, also outlined the reasons for the club agreeing to let their record signing leave just 12 months after he arrived from French side Rennes.

Possibly the biggest factor, Quinn explains, was the colossal financial package Al-Ain offered to both the club and player with Sunderland set to receive a loan fee believed to be in the region of £6m.

Quinn explained the decision to let one of their star players leave was only made with the club's best interests at heart.

He said: "From the moment Asamoah returned for pre-season training we could tell that there were people trying to move him on. We hoped it would pass by, rebuking approaches from the Premier League, France and Turkey and felt the player would settle back down and continue to help our cause.

"Throughout this time we were also receiving real interest from Al-Ain, but it looked as if that too had lost momentum by last Wednesday.

"Steve spoke to Asamoah on Thursday morning, asking him to knuckle down and we were all set to move on. Later that day, however, Al-Ain began a prolonged effort to get the deal back on track and this turned the players' attentions once more to a possible move.

"Come Friday, the chairman of Al-Ain and his advisors had flown into Newcastle and arrived at our training ground to discuss a potential deal for Asa. They were very professional, but determined to sign the player and at this point we took a number of things into consideration."

Quinn's statement came hours after Al-Ain paraded their new signing at a press conference.

Gyan is understood to be earning £6m from the deal, including a generous signing on fee and £200,000-a-week wages - and the 25-year-old insists he is looking forward to a new challenge.

The striker, however, refused to commit his future to the UAE club beyond his loan.

He said: "I don't promise. I'm somebody who doesn't promise.

"I'm really happy to be here. Al-Ain is an important club and this is a big challenge for me. There will be a lot of expectations on me, but not pressure.

"I know this move will come as a surprise to many, considering the things that I have said in the past month, but sometimes fans do not understand why we do certain things. In due course things will come to light.

"It's a challenge to me. I made a decision with my family. Talking about the Asian league it is improving very well.

"I want to on a winning side whether I score goals or not. As an attacker I know I need to score more goals but I am happy the coach has confidence in me and that is one thing a player should have.

"We have quality players in the club to win games and do well in the championships. We will try to build a winning team."

* Sunderland goalkeeper Trevor Carson has joined League One side Bury on a two-month loan deal.

The 23-year-old spent the end of last season on loan at Brentford in the same division and will go into the Shakers' squad for tonight's visit of another of his former loan sides - Chesterfield, for whom the Northern Irishman made 18 league appearances in the 2008-09 campaign.