Ghanaian international football star, Christian Atsu has been found dead under the building where he lived in southern Turkey.
The tragic news was confirmed this Saturday morning by his Turkish agent.
The 31-year-old has been missing since the February 6 earthquake that caused the collapse of thousands of buildings across Turkey and Syria.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay. “Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”
Antakya, the city where Hatayspor is based, is in the southern region of Turkey hardest hit by the earthquake.
Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the quake, but Hatayspor’s manager said on Friday the Ghanaian opted to stay with the club after scoring the winning goal in a February 5 Super Lig match.
Atsu joined Hatayspor in September last year after stints with English Premier League clubs, Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Hatayspor @Hatayspor_FK: “The funeral of our football player Christian Atsu, who lost his life under the rubble ( debris), is on his way to be sent to his hometown, Ghana. We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person. There are no words to describe our sadness. REST in PEACE ATSU.
The sports world in general has been paying tributes to the much loved international football star:
Newcastle also paid tribute on their official website: “A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.”
Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped them reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they lost to Côte d’Ivoire on penalties. He was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019.
He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 and had several loan spells at clubs including Vitesse and Bournemouth.
“Chelsea sends our heartfelt condolences to Christian’s family and friends and to all those affected by the earthquake tragedy.“
A day after the earthquake reports circulated that Atsu had been rescued following information that Hatayspor had received, however they later said the reports were heartbreakingly mistaken and the player was still missing.
It had also said the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was still missing. Savut has not yet been found.
The contractor of the 12-story Ronesans Rezidans building — where Atsu and Savut lived — was detained at Istanbul Airport a week ago, apparently trying to leave the country.
More than 45,000 people have been killed in the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, and the toll is expected to rise further with some 264,000 apartments in Turkey destroyed and many still missing in the country’s worst modern disaster.
Read also:
Ghanaian International Footballer Trapped in Turkey Earthquake Collapsed Building
UPDATE ! Ghanaian Football Star Found Dead in Turkey Earthquake Rubble
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