Rafael Benitez and Eddie Howe have led the tributes to Christian Atsu, who has died following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.
Former Newcastle midfielder Atsu’s demise was introduced on Twitter by his agent Nana Sechere, who stated the participant’s physique has been discovered 12 days on from the catastrophe, which has claimed greater than 40,000 lives.
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“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I’ve to announce to all effectively wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s physique was recovered this morning,” he wrote on Twitter.
“My deepest condolences go to his household and family members. I want to take this chance to thank everybody for his or her prayers and assist.”
Ghana worldwide Atsu, who was 31 and has three youngsters with spouse Marie-Claire, had been enjoying for Turkish Tremendous Lig facet Hatayspor.
He made 121 appearances for Newcastle and was a part of the workforce which gained promotion again to the Premier League in 2017 earlier than leaving the membership 4 years later.
In a message posted to Twitter, Newcastle stated: “We’re profoundly saddened to be taught that Christian Atsu has tragically misplaced his life in Turkey’s devastating earthquakes.
“A gifted participant and a particular particular person, he’ll at all times be fondly remembered by our gamers, employees and supporters. Relaxation in peace, Christian.”
Newcastle additionally paid tribute earlier than Saturday’s match towards Liverpool with Atsu’s spouse and two of their youngsters watching on.
Atsu additionally had mortgage spells at Everton and Bournemouth whereas contracted to Chelsea.
Former Newcastle supervisor Rafael Benitez, who spent simply over three years in cost at St James’ Park till 2019, stated he had been in touch together with his former participant final month.
“I used to be in touch with him final month. We have been sharing some messages – it’s extremely troublesome for me to precise in English – however I used to be feeling so unhealthy and I used to be making an attempt to contact him,” Benitez stated.
“Additionally, I do not wish to overlook the remainder of the individuals as a result of there are lots of people who’ve been in a very troublesome time and I believe we’ve to assist in a approach and as we speak we’ve to recollect Christian. Actually unhappy.”
Benitez added: “It is actually unhappy as a result of he was a pleasant, good, particular particular person. He was a very good skilled. I do not speak about if he is a very good participant or not, he was a pleasant lad and a very good participant, however particularly a very nice particular person.
“So a particular particular person and all people at all times, you may see the images, at all times with a smile enjoying or not enjoying.”
Present Newcastle boss Eddie Howe stated earlier than his facet’s residence Premier League sport towards Liverpool: “We’re treating it because the tragedy that it’s, giving him our ideas and our prayers and to his household as effectively. We wish to assist them on this second.”
Atsu spent almost 5 years at Newcastle after becoming a member of from Chelsea, initially on mortgage.
English Premier League matches on Saturday noticed a second of silence and applause earlier than kick off.
– AP
