Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan has insisted he is not “robbing people” after receiving criticism for his move to China, which made him the highest-paid African footballer.
The 29-year-old joined Chinese side Shanghai SIPG and is reportedly earning a whopping £227 000 per week.
People in his home country have criticised Ghana's all-time record scorer for his move, claiming he snubbed more competitive leagues to make a fortune.
"It is not as if I am doing anything illegal or robbing people of their money," he told BBC Sport.
"I have learnt to turn the negatives into positives and so I make my decisions and understand that everyone works for money.
"At the end of my career the most important thing will be how well I did for myself, my family and those closest to me. This time is my era so I have to make sure I make the most of it.
"I don't understand the criticism, I work hard for what I earn. I am focused on my job.
“I have always said that the most important thing is that I score goals.”
Gyan also insisted he won’t lose his sharpness, despite playing in a league where he possibly finds it easier to score than on international level.
"I heard those concerns when I was going to Al Ain but I continued to score important goals for the Black Stars," he added.
"I have always said that the most important thing is that I score goals. That is what the fans in Ghana and everywhere I play want. And I have scored goals consistently."
The Ghana forward, who scored 95 goals in 83 appearances for Al Ain and lifted three domestic titles in four years, made a superb debut in China by coming off the bench to score his side’s winner in a 2-1 victory against Tianjin Tada. The victory lifted Shanghai to the top of the table.