Black Stars player Christian Atsu is dead

Multiple reports from Turkey say Black Stars player, Christian Atsu is dead.

One tweet from a Turkey based journalist indicates that the lifeless body of the star has been found after days of searching.

This story was also corroborated by his agent in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet.

He said in a post on social media, “Christian Atsu was found and had unfortunately passed away”.

The 31-year-old was said to be residing in an apartment in Hatay city which suffered huge loss during the quake.

Friends, colleagues and sympathisers have taken to social media to express their condolences to his family and football club.

In his last match, Atsu scored late in injury time to give Hatayspor a 1-0 win over Istanblul-based Kasimpaşa S.K. in the Turkish league on Feb. 5, earning him praise from his new club, hours before the earthquake struck.

Reports indicate that some survivors are still being rescued after the quakes that have killed more than 40,000 people.

Atsu signed for Hatayspor late last year after playing for English clubs Chelsea and Newcastle.

Hatayspor is based in Antakya, near the epicenter of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck in the early hours of February 6, one of two major earthquakes, along with ensuing aftershocks that devastated southern Turkey and northern Syria.

He left behind his wife and two children.

"Christian Atsu bulundu ve maalesef hayatını kaybetti"

Menajer @MuratUzunmehmet pic.twitter.com/DtmbMzmAQV

— Ajansspor (@ajansspor) February 18, 2023

Murat Uzunmehmet: Atsu’yu bulduk. Hayatını kaybetti. Başımız sağ olsun.

— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) February 18, 2023

Christian Atsu hayatını kaybetti https://t.co/v5lK6zueC2 pic.twitter.com/p0qHvrbmPj

— NTV (@ntv) February 18, 2023