Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Instagram - chris_atsu
Topics: Football, Premier League, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Turkey
Max Sherry
Topics: Football, Premier League, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Turkey
Christian Atsu has finally been rescued from the rubble of the devastating earthquake that has ripped through Turkey.
It's understood the former Chelsea and Newcastle forward was trapped underneath the debris with reports emerging that he was missing among many civilians.
With thousands sadly already dead as a result of the 7.8 magnitude tremor, some football fans were expecting the worst.
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Hatayspor vice president Mustafa Ozat has now confirmed Atsu is out of the building.
Speaking to Radyo Gol, he said: "Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble."
Atsu's team-mate Kerim Alici has also confirmed on Turkish TV that the former Newcastle winger had been rescued alive.
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A Bola initially reported that the Ghanaian international has been pulled from the rubble of a collapsed apartment block.
The reports from the Portuguese outlet suggest Atsu, who is plying his trade in turkey with Hatayspor, is currently recovering in a local hospital.
It's understood he has suffered injuries to his right foot and is also having difficulty breathing.
This earthquake is the worst Turkey has suffered in over 100 years with at least 12 cities hit. As it stands, thousands are dead and even more are still missing.
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A number of players from Hatayspor also had to be rescued, although some reports are stating that the club's sporting director Taner Savut still hasn't been found.
Atsu, who had loan spells with Everton and Bournemouth, joined Hatayspor in July 2021 from Saudi Arabia side Al-Raed.
He scored a 97th minute winner for his side against Kasimpasa on Sunday, just hours before the natural disaster occurred at 4am on Monday morning while civilians were sleeping.
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Atsu played 80 times in the Premier League, scoring three times and registering six assists.
He signed for Chelsea in 2013 in a £3.5 million move but didn't make a single appearance for the Blues.
The former Porto man played a key role in Newcastle's promotion back to the Premier League under Rafa Benitez in 2016/17 and made the loan move permanent as a result.
World leaders around the world have pledged to send aid to Turkey following an international appeal.