gana Winger Christian Atsu was found dead under the building where he lived in southern Turkey following a major earthquake last week, his Turkish agent said on Saturday.
Atsu, 31, has been missing since the February 6 earthquake following the collapse of an apartment building in Hatay.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay. “At the moment, many other items are still being taken out. His phone has also been found.”
Antakya, the city where Hatayspor is based, is located in the southern region of Turkey, which was hardest hit by the earthquake.
Atsu was scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the earthquake, but Hatayspor’s manager said on Friday the Ghanaian chose to stay with the club after scoring the winning goal. decided in a Super Lig match on February 5.
Atsu joined Hatayspor last September after playing for clubs in the English Premier League Everton, Chelsea And Newcastle United Football Club.
We are deeply saddened by the news that Christian Atsu has been killed in the devastation of the earthquake that has struck Turkey and Syria.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Christian’s family and friends and everyone affected by this tragic event. pic.twitter.com/GLqXdd80Xl
– Premier League (@premierleague) February 18, 2023
“We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be with you, beauty. There are no words to express our sadness,” Hatayspor said. wrote on Twitter.
Newcastle also honored on their official website: “A talented player and someone special, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.”
Atsu made 65 caps for Ghana and helped them reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final where they lost Ivory Coast about punishment. The last time he was selected to play for Ghana was in 2019.
He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 and has had a number of loan spells at clubs including Vitesse And Bournemouth.
“Chelsea sends its sincere condolences to Christian’s family and friends as well as to all those affected by the earthquake tragedy,” the press release read. The London Club said on Saturday.
The day after the earthquake, reports spread that Atsu had been rescued following information received by Hatayspor, however they later said the reports were heartbreakingly misleading and that the player was still alive. is missing.
It also said the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was still missing. Savut was not found.
The contractor for the 12-story Ronesans Rezidans building – where Atsu and Savut live – was detained at Istanbul Airport a week ago, apparently trying to leave the country.
More than 45,000 people have been killed in earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria, and the number is expected to grow with about 264,000 apartments in Turkey destroyed and many still missing in the disaster. worst disaster in this country right now.
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
