EX-Chelsea player Christian Atsu has been found alive in the rubble of the Turkey earthquake after his voice was heard, it was reported.
The 31-year-old Ghana ace is believed to have been on the ninth floor of an apartment block when two earthquakes rocked Turkey on early on Monday.
Atsu, who has three kids with his wife Marie-Claire, plays for Hatayspor, who he joined last summer.
The earthquake hit hard in Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor are based.
The video showed rescuers with searchlights sifting through the wreckage of his apartment block during the night.
According to local media reports, Atsu’s voice was heard in the rubble, along with that of Hatayspor’s Sporting Director Taner Savut.
Hatayspor spokesman Mustafa Ozat reportedly said: “Christian Atsu was taken out with injuries.
“Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble.”
Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey Francisca Ashitey-Odunton said she’s received information from the country’s football authorities that Atsu “has been found”.
Several of his teammates were dramatically rescued from their homes after the earthquake struck at 4am local time.
Just hours before the quake struck, Atsu scored deep into stoppage time on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa.
“Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet,” he tweeted.
Footage showed Atsu being mobbed by his teammates as ecstatic fans celebrated the win on social media, along with messages praying for him to be found.
Newcastle and Chelsea were earlier anxiously awaiting news of their former player.
A post on Newcastle’s official Twitter account said: “Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20.”
While Chelsea tweeted: “We’re praying for you, Christian Atsu.”
Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto for £3.5million in 2013 but didn’t make a single appearance for the Premier League giants.
Atsu took in loans at Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle.
And the Magpies made his deal permanent in 2017 after Atsu played a key role in their promotion from the Championship.
