Christian Atsu, a former Premier League player, was discovered under rubble 12 days after Turkey's devastating earthquake.

 Christian Atsu, a former Premier League player, was discovered under rubble 12 days after Turkey's devastating earthquake.

Following the earthquake in Turkey, Christian Atsu was discovered dead.

After the disaster on February 6, the 31-year-whereabouts old's were unknown. During his career, Atsu played for Porto, Chelsea, and Newcastle, among others.

Christian Atsu, a former Chelsea player, was discovered dead following last week's devastating earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

The 31-year-old had been missing since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of February 6 - but one of his agents has now confirmed his body was discovered beneath the rubble.

'Atsu's lifeless body was discovered under the rubble,' Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters on Saturday, 12 days after the disaster struck. Currently, more items are being removed. His phone was also discovered.'

Nana Sechere, another of Atsu's agents, also announced the news.

'It is with heavy hearts that I must inform all well-wishers that Christian Atsu's body was recovered this morning,' he said.

'My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and loved ones. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone for their prayers and support.'

Christian Atsu, 31, was discovered dead in Turkey after the devastating earthquake.

Following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the whereabouts of the Ghana international were unknown.

As search and rescue operations in Turkey continued, Atsu's relatives awaited word.

Atsu's club Hatayspor called him 'a beautiful person', saying there were 'no words to describe our sadness'.

'The funeral of our football player Christian Atsu, who died in the collapse, is on its way to his hometown Ghana,' they said on Twitter, blacking out their profile picture.

'Atsu, we will not forget you. Peace be with you, lovely lady. There are no words to express our grief. Rest in peace, my friend.

Everton, Atsu's former club, were among the first Premier League teams to pay tribute.

'We are deeply saddened by today's news that Christian Atsu was found dead in Turkey following the earthquake earlier this month,' they said.

'Our hearts go out to his family, friends, Hatayspor colleagues, and everyone affected by this tragic event that has claimed so many lives.'

Atsu had a stellar career, appearing for both Newcastle and Chelsea.

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Newcastle United, where Atsu played for four years, said he would be 'fondly remembered' by everyone at the club.

'We are deeply saddened to learn that Christian Atsu tragically died in Turkey's devastating earthquakes,' they said on social media.

'He will be remembered fondly by our players, staff, and supporters as a talented player and a special person. Christian, rest in peace.'

'Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu,' said Chelsea, Atsu's first Premier League club. We send our condolences to his family and friends.

After the disaster unfolded, there were hopes that the former winger would be rescued, but Hatayspor and agent Sechere revealed over the past week that these claims were false.

Several search and rescue operations were carried out in the rubble of the building where Atsu and Hatayspor's sporting director Taner Savut lived, with Savut also missing.

Atsu had been in Turkey since September of last year, when he joined Hatayspor after leaving Al-Raed.

CHRISTIAN ATSU  LIFE

Born: January 10, 1992, Ada Foah, Ghana

Clubs

Porto: 2011-2013

Rio Ave (loan): 2011-2012

Chelsea: 2013-2017

Vitesse (loan): 2013-14

Everton (loan): 2014-15

Bournemouth (loan): 2015-16

Malaga (loan): 2016

Newcastle (loan): 2016-17

Newcastle (permanent): 2017-2021

Al-Raed: 2021-22

Hatayspor: 2022-23 

On Tuesday, Sechere explained how Atsu's exact 'room location' and even two pairs of his shoes were discovered.

The earthquake killed over 42,000 people and injured thousands more, while leaving millions homeless.

Tremors from the deadly quake, which lasted about a minute and may have been Turkey's largest ever, were felt as far away as Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus.

Atsu was supposed to leave southern Turkey hours before the earthquake, but Hatayspor's manager said on Friday that the Ghanaian chose to stay after scoring the game-winning goal in a Super Lig match on February 5.

After breaking through with Portuguese giants Porto, Atsu went on to have an extremely successful football career.

His exploits in Portugal, which included a loan spell at Rio Ave, earned Atsu a move to Chelsea.

He spent five years at Stamford Bridge but never played for the first team due to loan spells with Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga, and Newcastle before joining the Magpies on a permanent basis in 2016.

Under Rafa Benitez, he was promoted to the Premier League with the club during the 2016-17 season, and he made 121 appearances in total over five years.

After growing up in Ghana, the 31-year-old moved to Portugal at the age of 17 to pursue his dream.

He left Newcastle to play for Al-Raed in Saudi Arabia before joining Hatayspor last September.

Atsu also had a distinguished international career, earning 65 caps for Ghana and scoring nine goals, as well as representing the country at the 2014 World Cup.

When the Black Stars finished second in the 2015 AFCON, he was named Player of the Tournament.

At the age of 17, Atsu moved to Portugal to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer after growing up in Ghana.

In 2012, Atsu married his wife Marie-Claire Rupio Atsu, a devout Christian. The couple had three children: two sons and one daughter.