Immediately after the earthquake, there were reports that Atsu managed to be freed from the wreckage. However, this information later turned out to be false.
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The 31-year-old Hatayspor midfielder had left Turkey a few hours before devastating earthquake to fly away, but after scoring the winning goal in a Turkish league match against Kasimpas, he changed his mind and stayed, according to the coach.
“There are no words to describe our sadness,” Turkish club Hatayspor wrote on Twitter.
Atsu came to Hatayspor last September. In the past, he played for Porto, with whom he won the Portuguese league in 2013. Then he headed to Chelsea, for which he did not play. He spent time at Arnhem, Everton, Málaga and Newcastle, where he transferred in 2017. He worked at the club until 2021.
Christian Atsu (left) in the Ghana national team jersey
An exceptional person
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in the devastating earthquakes in Turkey. A talented player and an exceptional person will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters,” Newcastle representatives said.
Other Premier League clubs also offered their condolences. “Everyone at Chelsea is devastated after learning of the tragic death of our former player Christian Atsu. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends,” the London club said in a statement.
“The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City are with the family and friends of Christian Atsu and with all those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria,” the Citizens wrote on social media.
He played 65 games for Ghana Atsu. Helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea where Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties. Atsu was named player of the tournament. A year earlier, he also appeared at the World Championship.
