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The body of former Newcastle United footballer Christian Atsu has been found below the rubble of the building where he lived in Turkey, his agent has mentioned.
The Ghanaian, who played for Antakya aspect Hatayspor, had been misidentified and falsely reported as hospitalised “with accidents” final week following the earthquake which has killed bigger than 40,000 folk in Turkey and 5,800 in Syria.
Atsu’s agent, Nana Sechere, tweeted this morning: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I even comprise to stammer to all effectively wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body used to be recovered this morning. My deepest condolences breeze to his family and cherished ones.
“I’d cherish to snatch this chance to thank all individuals for their prayers and beef up.
“I quiz that at the same time as we impact the required arrangements, that all individuals would please respect the privacy of the family all the top likely method by this very sophisticated time.”
Ghana’s international ministry confirmed in an announcement that it obtained the “wretched data” and that “mandatory arrangements with the aid of the Authorities of Turkey” had been being made to transport the footballer’s body to his home nation.
Atsu spent eight years signed to Premier League golf equipment including Chelsea, Bournemouth, Everton and Newcastle.
He used to be signed by Chelsea in 2013 earlier than being despatched on mortgage to Dutch membership Vitesse.
The winger played for Everton, Bournemouth and Newcastle all the top likely method by mortgage spells from Stamford Bridge. The 31-year-primitive ended his Premier League occupation having made 121 appearances.
Atsu became a fan accepted on Tyneside, making 107 appearances between 2016 and 2021 and scoring eight needs.
He moved to Newcastle from Chelsea on a eternal deal for £6.2m in 2017.
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Former Newcastle and Everton Footballer Christian Atsu used to be found dead, buried below the rubble of his home in Turkey
The membership tweeted: “We are profoundly saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in Turkey’s devastating earthquakes.
“A talented participant and a assorted person, he’ll constantly be fondly remembered by our gamers, team and supporters. Leisure in peace, Christian.”
Former Chelsea membership captain John Terry tweeted: “RIP my friend.”
Chelsea FC wrote: “It’s with huge sadness that Chelsea Soccer Club receives the data that Christian Atsu is confirmed as one of the many victims of the awful earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
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“Chelsea sends our heartfelt condolences to Christian’s family and pals and to all those struggling from the earthquake tragedy.”
Atsu’s Turkey-basically basically based agent, Murat Uzunmehmet, instructed reporters that Atsu participant used to be found under the rubble of his home in southern Turkey.
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Read more:
Christian Atsu: Former Newcastle United smartly-known person easy missing over a week after Turkey earthquake
Turkey earthquake: Anger grows over building requirements in wake of lethal disaster
He mentioned: “Atsu’s dead body used to be found below the rubble. Currently, more objects are easy being taken out. His telephone used to be also found.”
Atsu is survived by wife Marie-Claire Rupio Atsu and their three children.
His elder brother and twin sister had been contemporary at the recovery of his body. The footballer will now be flown home to be buried in his home nation.
It got here as a little of one used to be among three folk rescued alive from the rubble in southern Turkey this morning, bigger than 296 hours after the earthquake, enlighten data agency Anadolu reported.
Atsu used to be scheduled to head away Turkey upright hours earlier than the earthquake, having agreed to join a brand new membership in France.
But he selected to forestall after scoring a stoppage-time winner in Hatayspor’s Big Lig match in opposition to Kasimpasa on the day of the earthquake.
Hatayspor supervisor Fatih Ilek instructed Turkish radio yesterday: “Atsu wished to play more and requested for permission from his coach to head away if he wasn’t going to earn it.
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17-year-primitive rescued 248 hours after quake
“He offered a value to cruise to Istanbul, and from there to France. He used to be going to glance for a membership to earn more playing time.”
Atsu moved to Turkey final September, signing for the Antakya aspect on a one-year contract. He lived within the southern Turkish city with Hatayspor’s carrying director Taner Savut, who’s easy missing.
The membership tweeted: “We isn’t very any longer going to neglect you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, swish person. There don’t seem to be any words to picture our sadness. Leisure in peace.”
The participant also loved a decorated occupation at worldwide diploma, making 65 appearances for Ghana and scoring nine times.
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He represented the West African nation at the 2014 World Cup and used to be named participant of the match at the 2015 African Cup of International locations, in which Ghana had been finalists.
Atsu first moved to Portugal weak 17 to pursue football, signing for Porto the same year.
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Tributes comprise persevered to flood in from across the football world. Istanbul aspect Galatasaray tweeted its condolences to Atsu’s family.
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Man pulled alive from rubble 11 days after quake
The membership wrote: “We are unhappy to learn that Atakas Hatayspor football participant Christian Atsu lost his life within the earthquake that stifled our nation.
“Our condolences to Christian Atsu’s family, followers and Hatayspor community.”
Broadcaster Kelly Somers tweeted: “Tragic data about Christian Atsu. I was working at Bournemouth when he used to be there, and he used to be the sweetest, gentlest man.
“And at any time when I noticed him at video games within the years that followed, he by no method didn’t approach over and recount hi there and quiz how I was. RIP.”
Sky Sports activities pundit Gary Neville also reacted to the data, tweeting: “Dreadful data.”
Atsu used to be also renowned for his charity work, significantly with little one trafficking charity Fingers Around the Itsy-bitsy one, where he used to be a world ambassador.
Atsu holds a younger woman at Becky’s Home, an orphanage he funded in is native Ghana
Atsu meets a community of boys at Becky’s Home all the top likely method by one of a number of visits to the orphanage
He helped manufacture an orphanage, Becky’s Home, in Ghana. Atsu normally visited the centre and met the kids there, Fingers Around the Itsy-bitsy one govt director Ellie Milner mentioned.
The footballer also paid a 62-year-primitive woman’s police gorgeous for possessing hashish, which spared her a ten-year jail sentence, in accordance to Ghanaian sports journalist Owuraku Ampofo.
Ampofo also instructed Sky Details: “Or no longer it’s easy going to be the same world, but within the head or no longer it may per chance per chance well per chance be a little of emptier because we’re no longer going to comprise a improbable soul cherish Christian Atsu spherical.”
Accra radio host Gary Al-Smith added that Atsu used to be effectively-known for spontaneous acts of kindness within the Ghanaian capital.
He mentioned: “Christian used to be constantly smiling. There used to be a breath of unique air about him.
“Other folks [have been] calling in with inner most reports. [Someone] mentioned ‘he met me within the avenue and offered water I was promoting for twice the value and instructed me to protect the commerce’. That used to be the associated rate of the person.”
