Former Chelsea FC and Newcastle United footballer – Christian Atsu‘s body was discovered under the debris of the building where he resided in Turkey, according to his agency. The Ghanaian, who played for Hatayspor in Antakya, was mistaken and wrongly reported as being hospitalized with injuries last week following the earthquake that killed over 45,000 people according to Sky News.
According to this report, Nana Sechere, Atsu’s agent, tweeted this morning: “It is with sorrowful hearts that I notify all well-wishers and football fans that Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning. He further added that “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their thoughts and support and I also ask that everyone please respect the privacy of the family at this extremely difficult time as we make the required arrangements”. Atsu played eight years in the Premier League, playing for clubs such as Chelsea, Bournemouth, Everton, and Newcastle.
Chelsea signed him in 2013 before loaning him out to Vitesse in the Netherlands. During loan stints from Chelsea, the winger played for Everton, Bournemouth, and Newcastle. The 31-year-old made 121 Premier League appearances during his career. Newcastle United tweeted that “We are deeply grieved to discover that Christian Atsu sadly lost his life in Turkey’s horrific earthquakes.”
One of his former team mates – John Terry tweeted “an energetic athlete and a lovely guy, he will be remembered warmly by our Chelsea players, staff, and supporters. Christian, rest in peace. RIP my buddy,” said former Chelsea captain John Terry on Twitter. And Chelsea Football Club also tweeted “It is with great regret that Chelsea Football Club learns that Christian Atsu has been verified as one of the numerous casualties of the terrible earthquake in Turkey.” Chelsea further extends profound sympathies to Christian’s family and friends, as well as all those impacted by the terrible catastrophe.
According to Sky News, Atsu had agreed to join a new club in France and was set to depart Turkey only hours before the earthquake. Yet he decided to stay after scoring a stoppage-time winner in Hatayspor’s Super League encounter against Kasimpasa the day before the earthquake.
Ghana’s foreign ministry acknowledged in a statement that the “unfortunate news” had been received and that “appropriate arrangements with the support of the Government of Turkey” were being made to send the footballer’s remains to his native country.
