HE has a Uefa Cup winner's medal, won a Dutch Championship title and is good pals with Chelsea superstar Michael Essien.

But Christian Gyan is facing perhaps his biggest footballing challenge yet - helping Wrexham back into the Football League.

The Ghanaian defender arrived in North Wales in January and immediately found himself in the less-than-glamorous position of sitting on the bench for the Dragons' 3-3 draw with Northwich Victoria.

Hard to think that the 30-year-old defender spent nine seasons at Dutch giants Feyenoord playing alongside the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Salomon Kalou.

In 2002 he earned one of the biggest prizes in the European game when Feyenoord beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in the Uefa Cup final.

Gyan admits it was the greatest night of his career, but dismisses suggestions things have gone off the boil for him now as he faces up to life in the non-leagues.

"I do not see things that way," said Gyan, who arrived at the Racecourse from Finnish side TPS Turku. "I am very excited to be with Wrexham and my first aim is to try to get into the first team here.

"I was at home for three months before I came here in the close season in Finland, so I have a lot of work to do.

"This is a fresh start for me. Of course I look back at the Uefa Cup final and it is a great memory. I feel proud because it is something not many players get to do in their career.

"But I have a new job to do at Wrexham. I am here until the end of the season and I want to help this club as much as possible."

In almost a decade in Rotterdam, Gyan managed a perhaps modest 93 appearances for Feyenoord, but became a firm favourite with the locals.

If his club days hit the heights, Gyan's international career with Ghana does contain one major disappointment.

Despite featuring in the qualifiers he missed out on the trip to the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006 due to a groin injury - though on the positive side it was while earning his 23 international caps he became firm friends with Ghanaian compatriot Essien.

"Michael is a good friend of mine and, of course, a great player," said Gyan. "I was very proud to play for my country, but to miss out on the World Cup with an injury - well, you could say that was a low time for me."

Gyan's road to Wrexham is not as unlikely as it sounds. While in Finland, John Allen, a coach at Turku who hails from Wales, spotted his talents and recommended him to Dragons' boss Dean Saunders.

The full-back, who can also operate in midfield, is now training with his new team-mates and looking to force his way into the Wrexham side as they push for promotion.