Former English Premier League player Christian Atsu is missing
Former Newcastle United player Christian Atsu is among those missing after a house collapsed in Turkey after Monday’s massive earthquake.
The Ghana international scored a 97th-minute winner for Turkey’s top flight club Hatayspor in their 1-0 win over Kasimpasa on Sunday night. Hours later, he was reported missing after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that toppled apartment blocks in several Turkish and Syrian cities.
Hatayspor Vice President Mustafa Ozat told Turkish TV channel Play Spor: “Christian Atsu and [club sporting director] Taner Savut are still under the rubble.”
He told BeIN Sports that several players and officials have been rescued and the club is working to help others.
Atsu, 31, played in the English Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton on loan from Chelsea. After a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, he joined Hatayspor in September.
Christian Atsu in 2019 during his time at Newcastle United.Credit:AP
Newcastle, who Atsu helped win promotion to the EPL in the 2016-17 season, tweeted that they were “praying for some positive news”. Chelsea also tweeted his prayers.
“We pray for Ghana international Christian Atsu and the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” the Ghana Football Association tweeted. “We continue to hope for positive news.”
Atsu was last selected by Ghana in 2019 but has not yet officially retired from international football.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors and we pray that our compatriot Christian Atsu is found safe and sound,” Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted.
Reuters
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/still-under-the-rubble-former-premier-league-player-missing-after-turkey-earthquake-20230207-p5cifb.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport Former English Premier League player Christian Atsu is missing
