The Portuguese Professional Football League (LPPF) and Sporting CP this Saturday expressed their regret over the death of Ghanaian Christian Atsu, whose body was found under the rubble of his house in Hatay, Turkey.
“The Portuguese League deeply regrets the death of Christian Atsu, a player who has been part of our professional leagues for three seasons,” the organization said in a note, referring to the winger as “one of the good talents” to have come through the top. echelon.
Sporting expressed their “sorrow” via social media over the death of the Ghana international who represented Porto and Rio Ave in Portugal, the latter being loaned out by Porto’s players in the 2011/12 season.
Atsu, 31, was found dead under the rubble of his house in Hatay, southern Turkey, after the February 6 earthquake that also affected Syria, his agent said this Saturday.
According to Turkish media, a player who played for Hatayspor, which also plays the Portuguese Ruben Ribeiro, was under the rubble of his residence in Ronesans, a 12-story tower that collapsed as a result of an earthquake.
Chelsea expressed “deep sadness” via the official website over the disappearance of the Ghanaian international striker, who was linked with the Blues between 2013 and 2017, although he never played for the first team.
Similarly, Newcastle, which included the winger between 2017 and 2021, also expressed their regret over the death of a “talented player and a very special person”: “Our players, staff and fans will always remember him fondly.”
Atsu has also played for Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Al Raed.
The Ghanaian Embassy in Turkey and the Ghana Football Association initially stated that the attacker was found alive, but this information was later found to be untrue.
The builder of a now-ruined luxury residence where 800 people are believed to be buried was detained last week while trying to leave Turkey.
Atsu joined Turkish club Hatayspor in September, based in the province of Hatay (south), near the epicenter of the strong earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6.
The quake, followed by strong aftershocks, has killed more than 40,000 people in Turkey and Syria, and left thousands injured and homeless in the cold, according to the latest official reports released on Friday.