Former Chelsea and Ghana worldwide footballer, Christian Atsu has died within the earthquake in Turkey. The 31-year-old’s physique was discovered within the ruins of a luxurious 12-story constructing the place he had been dwelling within the metropolis of Antakya, Hatay province, his supervisor stated Saturday (February 18). Atsu performed for Premier League golf equipment like Newcastle United and Chelsea.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble. At the moment, his belongings are still being removed,” supervisor Murat Uzunmehmet advised non-public information company DHA. Atsu joined Turkish membership Hatayspor in September and scored the profitable purpose for his new staff in a league recreation at dwelling in opposition to Kasimpasa S.Ok. On Feb. 5, simply hours earlier than the earthquake struck within the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 6.
Antakya, the town the place Hatayspor relies, is within the southern area of Turkey hardest hit by the earthquake. The dying toll from the 7.8-magnitude quake in southeastern Turkey and northern Syria handed 43,000 on Friday.
We are deeply saddened by the information Christian Atsu misplaced his life within the devastation of the earthquakes which have hit Turkey and Syria.
Our ideas and condolences are with Christian’s household and buddies and everybody affected by this tragic occasion. pic.twitter.com/GLqXdd80Xl
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 18, 2023
Hatayspor stated Atsu’s physique was being repatriated to Ghana. “There are no words to describe our sadness,” the membership tweeted.
A day after the earthquake there have been experiences that Atsu had been rescued however Hatayspor, after initially saying that it had obtained info that Atsu was alive and on his approach to the hospital, stated later that the experiences of a profitable rescue had been, heartbreakingly, mistaken and the participant was nonetheless lacking. It had additionally stated the membership’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was nonetheless lacking. Savut has not but been discovered.
The contractor of the 12-story Ronesans Rezidans constructing the place Atsu and Savut lived was detained at Istanbul Airport per week in the past, apparently making an attempt to depart the nation. Atsu’s agent, Nana Sechere, traveled to Turkey with members of Atsu’s household in an try to seek out him, holding onto hopes that he may be alive amid the wreckage. Sechere had urged authorities and Hatayspor officers to step up their efforts within the seek for Atsu and Savut.
In an announcement on Tuesday, Sechere stated rescuers had been capable of pinpoint Atsu’s precise room location in his collapsed condominium constructing over per week after the devastating earthquake however the one factor they recovered had been two pairs of his footwear.
Sechere confirmed on Saturday that Atsu’s physique was discovered. He posted a message on Twitter: “My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.”
Atsu performed greater than 60 occasions for Ghana and scored on his debut as a 20-year-old in 2012. He was a part of the Ghana squad on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and starred on the 2015 African Cup of Nations, scoring two targets to assist Ghana to the ultimate, the place it misplaced in a penalty shootout to Ivory Coast. He was named the participant of the match at that African Cup.
Atsu was signed by Chelsea in 2013 however his time there was restricted to appearances in exhibition video games and he was despatched out on mortgage to varied golf equipment over the following 4 years. The winger joined Newcastle on mortgage in 2016 and was a part of the staff that gained promotion again to the Premier League within the 2016-17 season. He signed a everlasting take care of Newcastle in 2017 and spent 4 years there. He joined Hatayspor final yr after a brief spell enjoying in Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Kwarteng, a pal of Atsu’s in Ghana, advised The Associated Press in a latest interview that he knew the participant as somebody who helped folks in his West African dwelling nation as a lot as he might.
Kwarteng runs a company that helps folks convicted of petty crimes get jobs and put their lives again collectively after being launched from jail and Atsu was its single greatest donor, Kwarteng stated. Atsu had additionally began constructing an orphanage in Ghana and was serving to to fund a brand new breast most cancers screening middle, Kwarteng stated. (With PTI inputs)
