Former Chelsea and Newcastle footballer Christian Atsu has been found dead following the devastating earthquake in Turkey, his agent has confirmed.
Footballer Christian Atsu has been found dead following a 12-day search amid the rubble of the earthquake that has devastated Turkey and Syria.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle winger’s agent, Murat Uzunmehmet, confirmed his body had been found in a statement.
“Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble. Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found,” he told reporters in Hatay, southern Turkey, where Atsu had been playing for Hatayspor.
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Atsu, 31, had been missing since the building he lived in collapsed when the earthquake struck the region on February 6.
On Friday, it emerged that Atsu had planned to leave the country to visit family but cancelled his flight after scoring a last-minute winner for his side against Kasimpasa the day before the earthquake.
The death toll across the two countries has reached 45,000 and is expected to rise further in the coming weeks with many still missing.
