Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has extended his stay with Italian club Udinese despite lucrative offers from Russia.

The 21-year-old signed a one-year extension that will keep him at the Serie A side until 2012.

Asamoah, who was a target of Russian sides Lokomotiv Moscow and Dynamo Moscow, says he opted to stay in Italy to improve his game.

"I have decided to stay here because it is one of the top leagues in the world," Asamoah told BBC Sport.

"There is the possibility of me playing regular football here to make me a better player.

"I am comfortable with the new deal and I know I can help Udinese achieve great things for the future."

Gyan scored ten goals last season to help the Serie A club to finish in tenth place, after returning from two seasons on loan at Modena.

But it was at the last World Cup finals in Germany in June where he began to attract the interest of clubs in Russia.

He scored the third minute goal which set the Black Stars on their way to a thrilling 2-0 victory against the Czech Republic in Germany.

Gyan also marked his Ghana debut in November 2003 with a goal against Somalia and went on to score four times in seven matches during the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Credit: BBC