Former Chelsea And Newcastle Soccer Player Christian Atsu In Hospital After Turkey Earthquakes
Christian Atsu was reportedly taken to hospital on Monday after being rescued from the rubble left by two major earthquakes in southern Turkey.
More than 3,000 people have been confirmed dead in Turkey and neighboring Syria after quakes measuring 7.8 and 7.5 on the official magnitude scale hit in the early hours of Monday morning.
One of the worst affected areas was the Turkish city of Hatay, home to soccer club Hatayspor.
Former Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton winger Atsu has played for Hatayspor since September 2022 and was reported as missing following the quakes.
Atsu, 31, was found and rescued on Monday evening before being taken to hospital, according to The Guardian.
He had reportedly suffered injuries to his right foot and was experiencing breathing difficulties.
Chelsea and Newcastle had earlier posted tweets to say that they were "praying" for Ansu.
Atsu joined Chelsea from Portuguese outfit Porto in 2013 for a transfer fee in the region of £3.5 million.
He spent four years under contract with Chelsea but never played a single game for the club as he was loaned to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and finally Newcastle.
Newcastle then bought Atsu from Chelsea in 2017.
Including when he was on loan, Atsu featured in 121 matches for Newcastle, scoring eight goals.
Atsu has scored nine goals in 65 games for Ghana at senior international level.
The Ghana Football Association issued a statement on Tuesday morning.
It read: "We've received some positive news that Christian Atsu has been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment.
"Let's continue to pray for Christian."
Christian Atsu pictured playing for Newcastle United in October 2017
IMAGO/Uk Sports Pics Ltd/John Baguley
