New Shanghai SIPG recruit Asamoah Gyan exchanged words of motivation with Jean Evrard Kouassi as the Ivorian striker prepares to leave the club on loan.
The Black Stars captain arrived to train with his new teammates on Tuesday.
Gyan has had to train alone with a physical instructor since completing his move to the ambitious Chinese club.
The former Al Ain ace’s capture however signals the end of the road at Shanghai SIPG for young Ivorian strker Jean Evrard Kouassi.
The Chinese club is forced to let go of the 20-year-old to free up international quota space to accommodate the signing of Gyan.
Chinese clubs are obligated to keep only five non-nationals in their squad at any point in time.
Shanghai SIPG had reached this limit by the time they signed Asamoah Gyan from Al Ain – meaning they had to shed off one of their non-national stars to make way for the Ghanaian.
Shanghai SIPG however don’t want to completely do away with Kouassi and have accordingly marked him out for a loan spell at a yet-to-be determined club.
Gyan’s arrival coincided with the final piece of activity for the Ivorian at the club.
The Black Stars captain wasted no time at all in encouraging the departing Kouassi – telling him to keep working hard in order to merit a return to the club where he hopes to be partnering him upfront next season.