Asamoah Gyan is ready to live his dream after becoming Sunderland's record signing - and says he cannot wait to make his debut for the club.
The 24-year-old Ghana international became the club's most expensive acquisition when he completed a move amounting to in excess of £13million from French side Rennes to the Stadium of Light on deadline day.
Gyan could make his Premier League debut at Wigan on Saturday, but while that will be a new experience for him, it will not come as a total surprise.
He said: "For me, it is the best league in the world. It has been my dream to play here, so I am looking forward to playing my first game.
"Everybody watches the Premier League in Africa, it's the best league. I have followed it well and I know all about it."
Black Cats boss Steve Bruce pursued Gyan throughout the summer and eventually got his man after seeing him excel at the World Cup finals in South Africa.
His late penalty miss in the quarter-final clash with Uruguay allowed the South Americans to sneak into the last four, although that is a memory he is keen to put behind him.
Gyan said: "Penalties? For me, I have done a good job for my country.
"I think 90 per cent of the penalties have been scored by me despite that miss. That's life."
Now the striker is looking forward to blooding himself in the English game, and one fixture in particular stands out.
He said: "I didn't know a lot about Sunderland, but what I know about is the derby against Newcastle - everybody knows about that.
"I have watched the derby before and it's quite incredible, so I can't wait."
