Multi-point Illustrator gradient import into AE required

My client has supplied multi-point gradient backdrops made in Illustrator (attached) that need to animate (position & colour) over time but the default 4-point gradient in AE wont cut it unfortunatley. Is it a massive deal to either add extra gradient 'points' to the default 4-way gradient tool in AE? But if there was a way of importing Illustrator gradients and converting to shape layers with a multi-point gradient (animatable) then that would be brilliant as well...