The body of former Vitesse player Christian Atsu (31) has been removed from under the rubble in Turkey, his agent Nana Sechere and his club Hatayspor reported on Saturday. The 65-time Ghanaian international has been missing since the massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on February 6.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that the body of Christian Atsu was found this morning,” Sechere wrote on Twitter. “My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. I want to thank everyone for all the support and prayers.”
A day after the earthquake, both the Ghana Football Association and Hatayspor’s spokesperson reported that Atsu had been found. A little later this message turned out to be incorrect. There could have been a change of persona.
Atsu played for a year for Vitesse, which rented him from Chelsea in the 2013/2014 season. He never broke through at the London club. He scored five times in 28 Eredivisie games. The winger represented Ghana at the World Cup after that season and in 2015 he was voted the best player of the Africa Cup.
Atsu was also active for FC Porto, Everton, Málaga and Newcastle United, among others. He has played for the Turkish Hatayspor since September 2022. That club is fourteenth in the Süper Lig already decided to withdraw from the competition.
Atsu canceled flight at the last minute
On Friday, Hatayspor announced that Atsu would actually go to France a few hours before the earthquake to find a new club. He felt he was getting too little playing time.
On February 5, a day before the heavy earthquakes, the attacker scored the winning goal against Kasimpasa (1-0) in stoppage time. After that, Atsu decided to stay after all.
“In the run-up to the duel with Kasimpasa, Atsu asked coach Volkan Demirel if he could look for a new club. He got permission,” team manager Fatih Ilek told Turkish radio. “But after his goal he canceled his flight. He was supposed to fly around 11 pm. The earthquake was a few hours later. A tragedy.”
The Turkish league has been suspended for the time being due to the consequences of the earthquakes. The intention is that football will be played again at the beginning of March.
