After a long search, one of the player’s agent, Murat Uzunmehmet, confirmed the death of the former Porto, Chelsea, Málaga and Newcastle star.
Eleven days after the earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria, devastating news linked to the world of sport was confirmed.
Christian Atsu, formerly of Chelsea, Málaga and Newcastle United, among tens of thousands of others, is one of the victims, after his body was found among the rubble left by the earthquake. This sad news was confirmed by his agent in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet.
“Christian Atsu was found and had unfortunately passed away,” he said through a brief statement on social media.
His agent, Nana Sechere has also confirmed the sad news in a post on Twitter in the early hours of Saturday, February 18, 2023. He further asked that everyone should respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time, whilst they make the necessary arrangements.
The disappearance of Atsu, who had been a member of Turkish club Hatayspor, had shocked the sports world.
The 31-year-old Ghanaian was playing in Turkey after a long career that had taken him through several of the world’s top leagues.
After starring for Porto, he was signed by Chelsea and belonged to the London team for four seasons, in which he was on loan to various clubs such as Málaga, with whom he came to play in the Spanish First Division. He participated in 12 games and scored 2 goals.
After passing through Newcastle and Saudi football, he ended up in Turkey to join the ranks of Hatayspor, with whom he had scored one goal in three games.
In addition to at the club level, Atsu was known for his involvement with the Ghana national team.
He played 65 games and scored 9 goals. With the national team he was in the 2013 and 2015 African Cups, and also participated in the 2014 World Cup.
Turkey was on high alert over the news of Atsu’s disappearance. A few days ago some information said that his body had been found alive, but they were later denied by those responsible for the club in which he was a member.
The confirmation by the player’s agent is one more misfortune for a country that has suffered one of the greatest tragedies in its history with an earthquake that has already left more than 40,000 dead between the Turkish country and Syria.
