Tributes pour in after Christian Atsu found dead following Turkey earthquake: ‘A talented player and a special person’
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ByEurosport
Published 18/02/2023 at 12:09 GMT
The football community has united in paying its respects to Christian Atsu following his death. The 31-year-old former Chelsea and Newcastle player was found dead under rubble almost two weeks after the earthquake in Turkey. "A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters," said Newcastle United.
Christian Atsu stands with training balls during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on January 28, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Tributes have poured in after Christian Atsu was found dead almost two weeks after the earthquake that has devastated Turkey and Syria.
Atsu, who moved to Hatayspor in September 2022, had been missing since the earthquake struck on February 6, 2023. The 31-year-old’s agent, Nana Sechere, confirmed on social media on Saturday that his body had been recovered in Hatay.
Prior to joining Hatayspor, Atsu spent a year with Saudi Arabian club Al-Raed, and had previously played for Porto, Chelsea, Everton and Newcastle United. He won 65 caps for Ghana.
And following his death, the football community has united in paying its respects.
Newcastle, for whom Atsu played for in both the Championship and Premier League, wrote on their Twitter account:
“We are profoundly saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in Turkey's devastating earthquakes.
“A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.
“Rest in peace, Christian.”
Chelsea, who brought Atsu to English football from Porto in 2013, said in a tweet that the club was "devastated" by the news, adding in a statement on its website that the Blues sent its “heartfelt condolences to Christian’s family and friends and to all those affected by the earthquake tragedy”.
The Ghana Football Association wrote in an emotional statement: “The Ghana Football Association has received the sad news of the recovery of the body of Christian Atsu from the rubble following the earthquake that struck Southern and Central Turkey on Monday, February 6, 2023.
“The Ghana Embassy in Turkey, his club Hatayspor and his agent Nana Sechere have confirmed that the body was recovered early this morning, Saturday, February 18, 2023 after almost two weeks of emotional torture.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to his wife and children, the family, loved ones and the football community.
“Christian Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea where Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.
“May his Soul Rest in Peace!”
Everton, another of Atsu’s former clubs, tweeted: “We are deeply saddened by today's news that Christian Atsu has been found dead following the earthquake in Turkey earlier this month.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues at Hatayspor and everyone affected by this tragic event that has claimed so many lives.”
The Premier League said it was “deeply saddened” by the death of the 31-year-old.
And Sky Sports reported that there would be a minute’s silence in memory of Atsu ahead of Newcastle’s fixture with Liverpool on Saturday.
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