NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: The Newcastle United team huddle before the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St. James Park on August 06, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Christian Atsu, a former Newcastle United footballer, has been found dead, according to the player’s agent.
Concerns had been raised about the 31-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, who had gone missing after massive earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria last Monday (6 January).
Atsu had been living in Antakya, southern Turkey, where he had been playing for Hatayspor since September of last year.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was discovered under the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet, the athlete’s body’s discovery location, told reporters. “Currently, more items are being removed. His phone was also discovered.”
Atsu had been scheduled to fly out of southern Turkey hours before the quake, but he had opted to stay with the club after scoring the game-winning goal in a match the day before the earthquake.
Before the news of his death had emerged Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe – who managed Atsu during a loan spell at AFC Bournemouth – said, “I really, really enjoyed working with Christian, a great lad, great player. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”
The Ghanaian international appeared 65 times for his country and played for Newcastle United between 2017 and 2021. During his career he also had spells at Chelsea, Everton and Porto.
