The lifeless remains of Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu have been pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building in southern Turkey more than ten days after a devastating earthquake, his agent confirmed.
There was hope that the 31-year-old midfielder who played for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor could be found alive when he was reported missing following the quake.
After days of anxious wait by his family, friends and fans his agent confirmed that Atsu’s body was discovered from the rubble of a collapsed building in the city of Antakya, southern Turkey.
The Ghanaian international had been among thousands of people trapped under the rubble of buildings that came down after the quake the February 6th earthquake which struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria killing over 30,000 people.
Atsu was a quick-footed winger who also played for English Premier League sides Chelsea and Newcastle before joining Hatayspor.
The player who is survived by a wife and two sons and a daughter won Player of the Tournament award in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and Goal of the Tournament in the same competition while representing Ghana.