The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has expressed their heart felt sympathy to the Ghana Football Association over the death of Ghanaian player, Christian Atsu following the devastating earthquake in Turkiye.

In their message to Ghaninan FA, SLFA states that, “We are deeply saddened by the death of Ghanaian Player Christian Atsu following the devastating earthquake in Turkiye.”

“Our thoughts are with his family and Ghana Football Association in this time of profound grief. May his soul and the souls of all lives lost in the said Tragedy rest in peace.”

Meanwhile, Eleven days after the earthquake that tore apart Turkey and Syria, devastating news linked to the world of sport was confirmed. Footballer Christian Atsu, formerly of Chelsea, Málaga and Newcastle United, is among tens of thousands of other victims, after his body was found among the rubble left by the earthquake. This sad news was communicated by his agent in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet on Friday morning.

“Christian Atsu was found and had unfortunately passed away,” he said through a brief statement on social media.

Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,” Uzunmehmet added when speaking with reporters in Hatay, where the player’s body was found. “Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”

The Ghanian had planned to depart from southern Turkey just hours before the earthquake struck, according to his club manager, but had decided to stay following scoring the winning goal on 5 February.

The disappearance of Atsu, who had been a member of Turkish club Hatayspor, had shocked the sports world.

The 31-year-old Ghanaian has been playing in the country after a long career that had taken him through several of the world’s top leagues. After starring for Porto, he was snapped up by Chelsea and stayed with the London team for four seasons, being sent out on loan to various clubs including Málaga, with whom he came to play in the Spanish top flight. He featured in 12 games and scored 2 goals.

After also playing for another English club, Newcastle United, as well as in Saudi football, he ended up in Turkey to join the ranks of Hatayspor, with whom he scored one goal in three games. In addition to club level, Atsu was heavily involved with the Ghana national team. He played 65 games for his country and scored nine goals, and was part of the team that was in the 2013 and 2015 African Cups, and also the 2014 World Cup.

His corpse has been flown to Ghana for befitting funeral ceremony.