Footballer Christian Atsu has been discovered lifeless underneath the rubble of his house nearly two weeks after the Turkey earthquake, his agent has confirmed.
The Ghana worldwide, 31, had spells with Premier League sides Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle.
Atsu had been lacking for the reason that 6 February quake that prompted the collapse of his house in Antakya, Hatay.
“There aren’t any phrases to explain our unhappiness,” tweeted his Turkish top-flight membership Hatayspor.
“We won’t neglect you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, lovely particular person.”
Within the aftermath of the quake, Hatayspor initially reported Atsu had been rescued “with accidents”, however a day later that place modified.
His agent Nana Sechere, who has been in Hatay, confirmed the information on Saturday on Twitter, writing: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I’ve to announce to all nicely wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s physique was recovered this morning.
“My deepest condolences go to his household and family members. I want to take this chance to thank everybody for his or her prayers and assist.”
The Ghana Soccer Affiliation stated Atsu’s physique was recovered on Saturday morning after “nearly two weeks of emotional torture”.
The Ghanaian international ministry added that Atsu’s elder brother and twin sister have been on the website when his physique was recovered.
The embassy is arranging for the physique to be transported to Ghana for burial.
The ministry stated it despatched “deepest condolences to the widow and household”.
The earthquake and aftershocks in southern Turkey and northern Syria are identified to have killed greater than 40,000 folks.
‘A proficient participant and a particular particular person’
Atsu joined Hatayspor in September after a season with Saudi Arabian crew Al-Raed and scored the profitable purpose in a Tremendous Lig match on 5 February.
He gained 65 caps for Ghana and helped his nation attain the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations ultimate the place they misplaced to Ivory Coast on penalties. Atsu was later named participant of the event.
In a tweet, Ghana’s males’s crew the Black Stars paid tribute to the winger, writing: “You served our Nation nicely, ceaselessly in our hearts. Relaxation in Peace.”
He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 and had a number of mortgage spells at golf equipment together with Everton and Bournemouth.
An preliminary mortgage interval at Newcastle in 2016, during which he helped the crew win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, was made everlasting in 2017.
Newcastle ahead Allan Saint-Maximin paid tribute to his former team-mate earlier than his aspect’s recreation towards Liverpool on Saturday.
“It is arduous to clarify. I am not going to lie, I might by no means seen a man like that earlier than once I arrived at Newcastle,” Saint-Maximin instructed Sky Sports activities.
“He was at all times giving me recommendation, at all times. He was a really good man, at all times joking and smiling, when he performed or did not play.
“He was an incredible particular person, in order that’s why it is unhappy for me.”
Former Newcastle supervisor Rafael Benitez, who spent simply over three years in cost at St James’ Park till 2019, stated he had been in touch together with his former participant final month.
Benitez instructed Sky Sports activities: “We have been sharing some messages – it’s extremely troublesome for me to specific in English – however I used to be feeling so dangerous and I used to be making an attempt to contact him.
“Additionally, I do not wish to neglect the remainder of the folks as a result of there are lots of people which have been in a extremely troublesome time and I feel we’ve got to assist in a approach and as we speak we’ve got to recollect Christian. Actually unhappy.”
Newcastle stated the membership was “profoundly saddened” by Atsu’s demise, calling him “a proficient participant and a particular particular person, he’ll at all times be fondly remembered by our gamers, workers and supporters”.
Everton stated they have been “deeply saddened” by the information, whereas Chelsea stated they have been “devastated”.
There have been minutes of applause earlier than Premier League video games on Saturday and gamers will even wore black armbands in remembrance.
Ghana sports activities broadcaster Michael Oti Adjei instructed BBC World Service Sportshour: “He was at all times grounded and he had a pleasant phrase for everyone.
“He was a stunning particular person to take care of and was one heck of a participant too. He had an excellent left foot and performed 65 instances for Ghana, scoring greater than 10 targets. He paid his dues to the nationwide crew.
“When he made his debut, there was discuss of a nickname of Ghana’s Messi. Those that knew him have been speaking of a younger Ghanaian participant who might probably develop into probably the greatest African gamers ever.”
