Christian Atsu's body arrives in Ghana after being killed in the Turkey earthquake.

 Christian Atsu's body arrives in Ghana after being killed in the Turkey earthquake.

Former Premier League player Christian Atsu's body has been returned to Ghana.

The body of an ex-Newcastle midfielder was discovered in Turkey 12 days after the earthquake.

Tributes have poured in for footballer Christian Atsu, whose body was returned to Ghana ten days after he was killed in a devastating earthquake in Turkey.

Former Newcastle midfielder Atsu died on Saturday, according to his agent Nana Sechere, who said the player's body was discovered 12 days after the disaster struck Turkey and Syria, killing over 44,000 people.

Ghana international Atsu, 31, was playing for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor when he died. He had previously played for Chelsea, Everton, and Porto.

Since 2016, Atsu has served as an ambassador for the global children's charity Arms Around The Child (AATC), and he has been the primary supporter of a new school in Senya Beraku, Ghana.

He paid several visits to the children and the project.

As his body was returned to Ghana today, a children's charity he represented described Christian Atsu as "a wonderful man" whose "legacy will live on."

Today, the coffin containing Christian Atsu's body arrived at Ghana's Kotoka International Airport.

'It is with immense pain and disbelief that we have to write these words,' said an AATC spokesperson. We hoped that Christian would survive and be found in the rubble of the tragic earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria.' Christian Atsu was a truly one-of-a-kind and wonderful man, and his legacy will live on in the hundreds, if not thousands, of lives he touched.

'He will be remembered as one of the kindest, most talented, and humble people to ever enter this world.'

A young Ghanaian boy from poverty who pursued his dreams had an incredibly successful footballing career and used his talent and platform to help others.

'Arms Around The Child was fortunate to have known Christian and will cherish his support for the children we care for, particularly the children in Senya Beraku, where Christian was constructing a school in the local community. Christian believed in providing children with a better future and the opportunity to succeed. 'He never forgot his own roots and didn't want to see any more children abused, imprisoned, infected with HIV, trafficked, or sold,' says the author. He was determined to use his football fame to prevent this.

'He had also been assisting The Crime Check Foundation in Ghana with their work of paying fines for minor crimes that resulted in incarceration and assisting people in reintegrating into society and getting back on their feet.

Christian Atsu's family members await the arrival of his coffin at the airport.

Pallbearers carried Atsu's coffin off the plane and onto his final resting place.

'Whenever Christian came to Senya, the children and the entire community were overjoyed to see him. They would welcome him like a hero, but also like a father, uncle, or brother because everyone adored him. He greeted everyone with smiles and hugs, making each person, child and adult, feel important and capable of dreaming and succeeding in life. Christian adored the kids and would always take his shoes off to play barefoot football with them whenever he came to visit.

'The children looked up to him; he showed them that they could have dreams for a better future and that dreams could be realized through education.' This is why Christian was so enthusiastic about constructing a school; he believed in education for all, particularly as a means of solving problems and providing children with a better future.'

'Our hearts are broken by the news regarding our beloved bro, Christian Atsu,' said Seth Asiedu, director of one of the homes Atsu supported in Senya Beraku.

We always felt his presence and were filled with joy whenever he came to visit us.

'The joy he brought to so many will leave a painful void, but we will remember his kind heart and his beaming, infectious, and joyful smile. Thank you, Christian; we appreciate you.'