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The football world is in mourning after the body of former Newcastle United player Christian Atsu was discovered under the rubble of the building where he lived in Turkey.<\/p>\n
Reports of his death were confirmed by Nana Sechere, one of Atsu\u2019s representatives, on Saturday night [AEDT].<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well-wishers that sadly Christian Atsu\u2019s body was recovered this morning,\u201d Sechere said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask that whilst we make the necessary arrangements, that everyone would please respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n Newcastle United said it was \u201cprofoundly saddened\u201d by the news of Atsu\u2019s death, describing him as a \u201ctalented player and special person\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cOur thoughts are with Christian\u2019s loved ones and with the people of Turkey, Syria and neighbouring territories at this incredibly difficult time,\u201d the club added.<\/p>\n Atsu had been missing since earthquakes first hit Turkey and Syria in early February, although there was confusion after false reports he had been discovered in the rubble.<\/p>\n Earlier in the month, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) falsely reported Atsu had \u201cbeen successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment\u201d after the 7.8-magnitude quake struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria.<\/p>\n Atsu\u2019s coach at Turkish club Hatayspor though refuted those reports at the time, insisting the Ghana midfielder had not been found.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have good news, still not found under the rubble,\u201d Hatayspor boss Volkan Demirel told AFP <\/i>at the time.<\/p>\n Atsu spent five seasons at Newcastle, playing more than 100 games before leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2021. He won the last of his 60 Ghana national caps in September 2019.<\/p>\n Atsu, 31, spent four seasons at Chelsea before a permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2017. He signed in September for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, based in the southern province of Hatay near the epicentre of the quake.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n