Ghana Rocked As Ex Black Stars Winger Christian Atsu Found Dead In Turkey Earthquake

Ex Black Stars winger Christian Atsu Twasam has been found dead in Turkey after falling victim to an earthquake in the country about two weeks ago.

He was trapped under the ground with search teams looking for him since.

Earlier, a report came that he has been found and sent to a medical facility for treatment but was later debunked by the team’s doctor saying the former Chelsea and Newcastle United star’s body could not be identified in any hospital as communicated.

Few days ago, his shoes were recovered from his apartment where he was suspected to have been trapped.

In a tweet made by his Ghana agent Saturday, February 18, 2023, Nana Sechere expressed his commisserations with the family and asked that the public respect their privacy.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning.

“My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.

“I ask that whilst we make the necessary arrangements, that everyone would please respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time,” he tweeted.

According to Atsu's Turkish agent Murat Uzunmehmet, his dead body was discovered beneath the rubble this morning after Turkey's terrible earthquake.💔💔#GTVSports pic.twitter.com/o9cNxR6TrK

— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) February 18, 2023

May the Lord comfort his family and all the other families in Turkey and Syria grieving losses.

About the Death

On 6 February 2023, Atsu went missing in the immediate aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake; he was feared to be among those trapped under the rubble of Hatayspor’s headquarters in Antakya following the quake.  Subsequent reports were conflicted over Atsu’s fate following the quake, with some reports indicating he had been rescued, while others denied these claims. As of 9 February 2023, no definitive information on his condition and whereabouts was available.

On 14 February, Atsu’s agent confirmed two pairs of his shoes had been found, but that Atsu himself had still not been found. On 18 February, confirmation was received by his agent that his body was recovered from the rubble of the building he was residing in. News outlets reported his death at approximately 6am GMT.

Early life

Christian Atsu Twasam born on 10 January 1992 in Ada Foah, Greater Accra Region,  was a Ghanaian professional footballer who last played for Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor and the Ghana national team. He primarily played as a winger, although he was also deployed as an attacking midfielder.

He spent some of his education at the then Feyenoord Football Academy at Gomoa Fetteh, in the Central Region of Ghana which has now been changed to West African Football Academy in Sogakope in the Volta Region of Ghana. He later moved to join Cheetah FC, a club based in Kasoa

Atsu arrived at Porto at the age of 17. On 14 May 2011, he was called up by first-team manager André Villas-Boas for a Primeira Liga match against Marítimo, but he did not leave the bench.

He also spending a season on loan at Rio Ave. In 2013, he was signed by Chelsea for £3.5 million, who subsequently loaned him to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, AFC Bournemouth, and Málaga. After spending the 2016–17 season on loan at Newcastle United, he completed a permanent transfer to the club in May 2017.

On 17 July 2021, Atsu joined Al-Raed. Limited by injury, he played only eight games in the Saudi Professional League.

On 6 September 2022, Atsu signed for Süper Lig club Hatayspor on an inital one-year contract with the option for a further year.
A full international with over 60 caps since his debut in 2012, Atsu represented Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He helped the team finish as runners-up at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he also won Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament.

Atsu was a devout Christian who shared Bible verses on social media. He was married to author Marie-Claire Rupio with whom he had two sons and a daughter.