Ghanaian international Christian Atsu has tragically passed on according to information released by his agent earlier on Saturday.
The 31-year-old’s whereabouts remained unknown after the earthquake that hit Turkey in the early hours of the morning of February 6. There had been reports that the former Chelsea, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Everton winger had been rescued, but his club Hatayspor and agent Nana Sechere had revealed over the past week that these claims were untrue.
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It was then confirmed by another of Atsu’s agents Murat Uzunmehmet that he had been found under the rubble on Saturday, 12 days after the earthquake.
Uzunmehmet told reporters: “Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble. Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”
Atsu enjoyed an extremely impressive football career after he broke through with Portuguese giants Porto. His exploits in Portugal – which also included a loan spell at Rio Ave – led to Atsu earning a move to Chelsea.
He spent five years at Stamford Bridge but never actually made an appearance for the first team as he spent temporary spells away from the club with Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle, before he made a permanent move to the Magpies in 2016.
He was promoted to the Premier League with the club during the 2016-17 season under Rafa Benitez and he made 121 appearances in total over five years.
Upon leaving Newcastle, he moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Raed, before he joined Hatayspor last September.
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