The former Sunderland star has ended his spell with the Black Stars spanning over 15 years.

Ghana Black Stars' all-time top scorer, record cap holder and skipper Asamoah Gyan has retired from international football under controversial circumstances. The 33-year-old who currently plays for Kayserispor in the Turkish League made the declaration on Monday despite being named in the preliminary 30-man squad for the upcoming 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

According to Gyan, his decision comes on the back of a plot to strip him of his captaincy. Speculations suggest that the former Sunderland striker was set to be named the 'General captain' while Swansea City's Andre Ayew will be appointed to lead the team on the field of play.

In a statement released through his foundation, Gyan said: "Upon consultation with my family and team, and as an active footballer and captain of the National team, if the decision of the coach is to give captaincy of the tournament to another player while I am named in the team for the tournament, I wish to recuse myself from the tournament.

"I also wish to retire from the national team permanently; not pretending my presence would not fuel the purported undermining the country has seen under my captaincy.

"I would continue to serve the Country Ghana in other endeavors as a business man through various investments."

It will be the first Africa Cup of Nations since 2006 that Ghana will not be without its most prolific striker in its football history. Having debuted for the Black Stars in 2003 as a 17-year-old, Gyan has accumulated over 100 caps and scored 51 goals.

He has represented his side in seven AFCONs and three FIFA World Cups. With 6 goals, the 33-year-old striker remains the top African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup.