Ghanaian Soccer Star Christian Atsu Found Dead In Turkish Earthquake Rubble

Photo: Instagram/Christian Atsu

Ghanaian soccer player Christian Atsu, who had played in the English Premier League and at the World Cup, was found dead under rubble following an earthquake in Turkey.

He was 31. Atsu's body was retrieved from the ruins of the building where he lived in Antakya, the Hatay province city that was hardest hit by the earthquake, which has claimed the lives of over 45,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

Atsu had been playing for Hatayspor, a Turkish Super Lig club. He scored a game-winning goal against Kasimpaşa on the day of the earthquake.

Photo: Instagram/Christian Atsu 

Atsu had played for nine different clubs in five other countries before moving to Turkey.

His death has been confirmed by his representatives, prompting sadness from former clubs and global soccer.

Hatayspor said Atsu's body was being transported back to his hometown in Ghana.

Atsu had represented Ghana in over 60 games and had won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Atsu and Hatayspor's sporting director, Taner Savut, were missing for over a week after the earthquake.

The 12-story building where both lived, the Ronesans Rezidans, has been subject to local criticism for its shoddy construction.

Other club employees, Hüseyin Danahaliloğlu, Suzan Berber, and Onur Akdeniz, also died in the earthquake, which continues to take a toll.

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Source: Yahoo Sports
 

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