Christian Atsu, a Ghanaian international footballer, was found dead under the rubble of his home over two weeks after the Turkish earthquake, his agent confirmed.
The Ghana international, 31, has previously played for Premier League clubs Everton, Chelsea, and Newcastle.
Christian Atsu, a former Newcastle winger, has been missing since earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria on February 6.
Atsu was a member of the Newcastle team that earned promotion back to the Premier League in 2017 after arriving on loan from Chelsea for the season and then completing a permanent move.
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“There are no words to describe our sadness,” his Turkish top-flight club Hatayspor said on Twitter.
“Atsu, we will never forget you. Peace be with you, lovely person.”
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well-wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning,” his agent Nana Sechere, who has been in Hatay, wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
“My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone for their prayers and support.”
After a season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Raed, Atsu joined Hatayspor in September 2022 and scored the game-winning goal in a Super Lig match on 5 February.
He won 65 Ghana caps and helped his country reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they were defeated on penalties by Ivory Coast. Atsu was later named player of the tournament.
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He joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 and has had loan spells at Everton and Bournemouth.
An initial loan spell at Newcastle in 2016, during which he helped the club win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, was later made permanent in 2017.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Christian Atsu tragically lost his life in Turkey’s devastating earthquakes,” Newcastle said in a tweet.
“A talented player and a special person, he will be remembered fondly by our players, staff, and supporters.
Everton and Chelsea both expressed their “great sadness” at the news.
Chelsea said they received the news of Atsu’s death with “enormous sadness”.
“Chelsea sends our greatest condolences to Christian’s family and friends, as well as all those affected by the terrible disaster,” a statement added.
