Former Everton and Newcastle United star Christian Atsu has been found dead among collapsed buildings flattened by the earthquake in Turkey.
After 12 days of searching by family, friends and officials, it was confirmed that Atsu was found dead beneath the rubble of the remains of his home in Antakya, Turkey.
It comes a few days after false reports that the footballer had survived the tragedy.
There were tributes paid to Atsu before Everton’s match with Leeds and Newcastle United’s home match with Liverpool yesterday (February 18).
The Ghanaian national player made 65 caps for his country from 2012-2019 and participated in four AFCON tournaments as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In the Premier League, Atsu began his tenure at Chelsea, followed by loan spells at Everton and Newcastle, followed by a permanent move to the Geordie Club in 2017.
After his time in England, he had a temporary spell in Saudi Arabia, then signed for Hatayspor FK in September 2022.
The tragedy in Turkey and Syria has unfortunately claimed the lives of 46,000 men, women and children.
This catastrophe is reported to be one of the deadliest earthquakes in the last 25 years and the numbers continue to rise.
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_FK and everyone affected by this tragic event that has claimed so many lives. pic.twitter.com/W3mWlMcAuf
— Everton (@Everton) February 18, 2023
Websites to help:
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal
https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal
(Pic by Илья Хохлов under CC licence)
