Ghana hero Gyan joins Bocanegra at Rennes

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By Liam Black, Special to SI.com, Goal.com

Asamoah Gyan will join Ghana teammate John Mensah at Ligue 1 outfit Rennes after completing a $12 million transfer from Italian side Udinese.

Gyan broke onto the scene by scoring the fastest goal at the 2006 World Cup -- in the third minute against the Czech Republic.

However, Gyan was in the news in January of this year after some angry Black Stars fans issued ugly threats to his family after lackluster performances during the African Cup of Nations.

Booed while playing for Ghana against Namibia, the 22-year-old briefly threatened to quit the national team.

After nearly five years in Italy, including two years on loan with Modena, the hitman is keen to take on a new challenge and was initialy linked with a move to the English Premier League.

Now, though, Gyan has signed a four-year deal with Les Rouges et Noirs and is keen to get started.

He told BBC Sport: "I had several offers but after talking to John and others who have played in France I thought the Rennes move was the best. I feel I can get more playing time here to further develop my career in Europe."