Footballer Christian Atsu has been discovered lifeless below the rubble of his dwelling virtually 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 precipitated the collapse of his condo in Antakya, Hatay.
“There are not 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, 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 effectively 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 help.”
The Ghana Soccer Affiliation stated Atsu’s physique was recovered on Saturday morning after “virtually two weeks of emotional torture”.
The Ghanaian overseas ministry added that Atsu’s elder brother and twin sister have been on the website when his physique was recovered.
Atsu’s physique was flown again to Ghana on Saturday 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 recognized to have killed greater than 40,000 folks.
‘A gifted participant and a particular particular person’
Atsu joined Hatayspor in September after a season with Saudi Arabian staff Al-Raed and scored the successful aim 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 closing the place they misplaced to Ivory Coast on penalties. Atsu was later named participant of the match.
In a tweet, Ghana’s males’s staff the Black Stars paid tribute to the winger, writing: “You served our Nation effectively, 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 staff 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 elucidate. I am not going to lie, I might 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 ideal 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 involved along with his former participant final month.
Benitez advised Sky Sports activities: “We have been sharing some messages – it’s totally tough for me to specific in English – however I used to be feeling so unhealthy and I used to be attempting to contact him.
“Additionally, I do not need to neglect the remainder of the folks as a result of there are lots of people which have been in a extremely tough time and I believe we’ve to assist in a approach and at the moment we’ve to recollect Christian. Actually unhappy.”
Newcastle stated the membership was “profoundly saddened” by Atsu’s dying, calling him “a gifted participant and a particular particular person, he’ll all the time be fondly remembered by our gamers, employees 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 advised BBC World Service Sportshour: “He was all the time grounded and he had a pleasant phrase for everyone.
“He was a beautiful 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 objectives. He paid his dues to the nationwide staff.
“When he made his debut, there was speak of a nickname of Ghana’s Messi. Those that knew him have been speaking of a younger Ghanaian participant who may probably develop into top-of-the-line African gamers ever.”
