Christian Atsu found dead after days of searching in Turkey earthquake | OneFootball

Christian Atsu has been confirmed dead 12 days after a huge earthquake happened in Turkey.

The Ghanaian last played for Super Lig club Hatayspor, scoring a late free-kick to hand them victory in his last game.

Reports after the unfortunate natural disaster initially claimed the 31-year-old had been found.

They claimed Atsu had been taken to hospital, but this proved false some days later.

His agent Nana Sechere confirmed on Saturday morning that his body had been found in the earthquake rubble.

Atsu played for Chelsea and Newcastle United in the Premier League and also had a loan spell at Everton.

The English top flight held a minute of silence for him ahead of games this weekend.

Earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria on February 6, and Atsu was in Antakya during the incident.

Over 46,000 people have died as a result of the tragic incident. The numbers have continued to increase as rescue teams keep looking for survivors and bodies.

Atsu came off the bench to score against Kasimpasa a day before two fatal earthquakes struck south-eastern Turkey.

He played 65 games for Ghana before retiring in 2019. Atsu played at four Africa Cup of Nations and one World Cup, scoring six times for the west African country.

He started his career with Porto in 2011 but spent most of his time in Portugal on loan with Rio Ave.

The late winger moved to Chelsea in 2013, going on loan spells at Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle.

He joined the Magpies permanently in 2017 after failing to make a first-team appearance for the Stamford Bridge club.

Atsu played 121 times for Newcastle before leaving for Saudi Pro League club Al-Raed in 2021.

He joined Hatayspor last September and played four times for them, scoring his only goal a few hours before his untimely demise.