Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has backed Asamoah Gyan’s move to Shanghai SIPG, a transfer which has drawn a wave of criticism from some local pundits who claim playing in the ‘less-competitive’ Chinese Premier League could affect the Ghana captain’s form.

The former Sunderland striker completed his mega move from United Arab Emirates side Al Ain to the Chinese outfir on Friday, on a reported €315,000-per-week contract.

A Ghanaian football administrator this week described Gyan as being ‘too money conscious’ to the detriment of the national team, however, one of the striker's national teammates has refused to accept the criticism.

“Great move, excellent ideas from his managers. He should enjoy it, it’s his life," Badu told Goal, in response to critics.

“He has done whatever he had to do for the national team. Gyan has played for many clubs and leagues. Ghanaians should tell me where else should he go to.”

Badu has played with Gyan in the Ghana team for the past five years and both men are known as good friends even off the pitch.

“I had a chat with him on Saturday morning and I said ‘my friend go for it, good luck’," Badu continued.

Gyan has previously plied his trade in Italy, France and England, before moving to Al Ain in 2011.

He is currently Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 48 goals from 90 appearances, and also the African with the highest goals at the Fifa World Cup, scoring six with the Black Stars at three editions – Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.