Christian Atsu discovered lifeless after Turkey earthquake

Footballer Christian Atsu has been discovered lifeless beneath the rubble of his house virtually two weeks after the Turkey earthquake, his agent has confirmed.

Atsu had been lacking because the 6 February quake that precipitated the collapse of his condominium in Antakya, Hatay.

“There aren’t any phrases to explain our unhappiness,” tweeted his Turkish top-flight membership Hatayspor.

“We is not going to neglect you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, stunning individual.”

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 properly 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 mentioned Atsu’s physique was recovered on Saturday morning after “virtually two weeks of emotional torture”.

The Ghanaian international ministry added that Atsu’s elder brother and twin sister had been on the web site when his physique was recovered.

Atsu’s physique was flown again to Ghana on Saturday for burial.

The ministry mentioned it despatched “deepest condolences to the widow and household”.

The earthquake and aftershocks in southern Turkey and northern Syria are recognized to have killed greater than 40,000 individuals.

‘A proficient participant and a particular individual’

Atsu joined Hatayspor in September after a season with Saudi Arabian group 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 group the Black Stars paid tribute to the winger, writing: “You served our Nation properly, eternally 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, wherein he helped the group 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 facet’s sport towards Liverpool on Saturday.

“It is exhausting to clarify. I am not going to lie, I would by no means seen a man like that earlier than after I arrived at Newcastle,” Saint-Maximin advised Sky Sports activities.

“He was all the time giving me recommendation, all the time. He was a really good man, all the time joking and smiling, when he performed or did not play.

“He was an awesome individual, 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, mentioned he had been involved along with his former participant final month.

Benitez advised Sky Sports activities: “We had been sharing some messages – it’s extremely tough for me to precise in English – however I used to be feeling so dangerous and I used to be attempting to contact him.

“Additionally, I do not need to neglect the remainder of the individuals as a result of there are lots of people which were in a very tough time and I believe now we have to assist in a method and at this time now we have to recollect Christian. Actually unhappy.”

Newcastle mentioned the membership was “profoundly saddened” by Atsu’s loss of life, calling him “a proficient participant and a particular individual, he’ll all the time be fondly remembered by our gamers, workers and supporters”.

Everton mentioned they had been “deeply saddened” by the information, whereas Chelsea mentioned they had been “devastated”.

There have been minutes of applause earlier than Premier League video games on Saturday and gamers can even wore black armbands in remembrance.

Ghana sports activities broadcaster Michael Oti Adjei advised BBC World Service Sportshour: “He was all the time grounded and he had a pleasant phrase for everyone.

“He was a stunning individual to cope with and was one heck of a participant too. He had an excellent left foot and performed 65 occasions for Ghana, scoring greater than 10 objectives. He paid his dues to the nationwide group.

“When he made his debut, there was speak of a nickname of Ghana’s Messi. Those that knew him had been speaking of a younger Ghanaian participant who may doubtlessly develop into probably the greatest African gamers ever.”