Christian Atsu found dead after Turkish earthquakes

The winger had a brief spell at Bournemouth during his career

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 18th Feb 2023

The Turkish agent of former Bournemouth footballer Christian Atsu says he has been found dead under a building which came down in last week's earthquake in Turkey.

Atsu was 31 years old and had been playing for Hatayspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.

The Ghanaian joined the Cherries on loan from Chelsea during the 2015/16 season but made just two appearances for the club, against Hartlepool United and Preston North End in the League Cup.

In a statement released on Sunday, the club said it was 'saddened' to hear of Christian's death.

The midfielder played for the likes of Newcastle, Porto, Everton and Málaga.

He also made 65 appearances for his country Ghana.

Tributes are being paid to him by fans of the clubs that he played for.

He was named the Africa Cup of Nations player of the tournament in 2015 and gained promotion with Newcastle United back to the Premier League in 2017.

More than 40,000 people are known to have died in the the earthquakes and aftershocks in southern Turkey and northern Syria.

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