Black Stars winger Christian Atsu is reportedly trapped under rubble following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey in the early hours on Monday.
The 65-time capped Ghana international, who now plies his trade with Super Lig side Hatayspor, is claimed to be missing with a search and rescue operation underway.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Atsu and our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria. We remain hopeful for positive news 🙏
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) February 6, 2023
According to reports in Turkey, Atsu – along with club sporting director Taner Savut – were caught up in the earthquake in Kahramanmaras, where the club is based.
Although midfielder Onur Ergun and club translator Emre are still reported missing, two players in Burak Oksuz and Bertug Yildirim have been rescued from the rubble, while technical team members Ekrem Eksioglu and Osman Ates survived the wreckage and are reported to be in good health.
Prayers have been pouring in for the winger, with his former club Newcastle United taking to social media to hope for positive news on his recovery.
Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20. 🙏🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/HQT6yZOmRB
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 6, 2023
Atsu shone for Ghana in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost to the Ivory Coast on penalties. At the end of the tournament, he was awarded both the Player of the Tournament and the Goal of the Tournament awards for his strike against Guinea.
He secured a move to Chelsea from Portuguese giants Porto in 2013 and spent time on loan at Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle before making a permanent switching to the latter, spending four years before moving to Al-Raed in 2021.
Atsu joined Hatayspor last summer from Saudi Arabia side Al-Raed and scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa on Sunday.
