Footballer Christian Atsu has been discovered lifeless underneath the rubble of his dwelling practically two weeks after an earthquake rocked Turkey, his agent has confirmed.
The Ghana worldwide, 31, had spells with Premier League sides Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle.
Atsu had been lacking because the February 6 earthquake that brought on his condo in Antakya, Hatay to break down.
“There are no words to describe our grief,” tweeted his Turkish top-flight membership Hatayspor.
“We will not forget you, Atsu. Rest in peace, beautiful man.”
After the earthquake, Hatayspor It was initially reported that Atsu was rescued “with injuries”.however a day later That state of affairs has modified.
His agent Nana Sechere, who has been dwelling in Hatay, confirmed the information on Twitter on Saturday, writing: “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce to all well-wishers that sadly, Christian Atsu The body of was recovered this morning.
“My deepest condolences are along with his household and family members. I want to take this chance to thank everybody for his or her prayers and assist.”
The Ghana Football Association said Atsu’s body was recovered on Saturday morning after “practically two weeks of emotional torture”.
earthquakes and aftershocks Known to have killed over 40,000 people in southern Turkey and northern Syria.
‘A gifted participant and a particular individual’
Etsu joined Hatayspor in September 2022 after a season with Saudi Arabian team Al-Raed and scored the winning goal in a Süper Lig match on 5 February.
He won 65 caps for Ghana and helped his country reach the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost on penalties to Ivory Coast. Atsu was later named Player of the Tournament.
In a tweet, Ghanaian men’s team The Black Starts paid tribute to the winger, writing: “You served our nation effectively, eternally in our hearts. Rest in peace.”
He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 and had several loan spells at clubs including Everton and Bournemouth.
An initial loan spell at Newcastle in 2016, in which he helped the team win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, was made permanent in 2017.
“We are deeply saddened to study that Christian Atsu has tragically misplaced his life within the devastating earthquakes in Turkey,” Newcastle stated.
“A gifted participant and a particular individual, he’ll at all times be fondly remembered by our gamers, employees and supporters.”
Everton stated they have been “deeply saddened” by the news, while Chelsea said they were “devastated”.
Ghanaian sports broadcaster Michael Oti Adjei told BBC World Service Sportshour: “He was at all times all the way down to earth and had a very good phrase for everybody.
“He was a lovely person to behave and a player too. He had a very good left foot and played 65 times for Ghana, scoring over 10 goals. He paid his dues to the national team.
“When he made his debut, Messi of Ghana was talked about as a nickname. Those who knew him have been speaking of a younger Ghanaian participant who might probably be probably the greatest African gamers of all time. Can be made.”
With inputs from BBC
