Christian Atsu from Ghana still missing after Turkey earthquakes | Soccer

Newcastle are eagerly awaiting news of former midfielder Christian Atsu amid reports he has been rescued after being trapped in rubble following earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.

The 31-year-old Ghana international, who now plays football with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, was reportedly missing after teammates and technical staff at the club were rescued from the rubble.

Multiple reports on Monday night said Atsu, who is believed to have disappeared alongside Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut, had been found alive, with Portuguese outlet A Bola claiming he suffered “injuries to his right foot and difficulty breathing “.

This report is unconfirmed by Hatayspor, however, with team-mate Kerim Alici also appearing to suggest in an Instagram Story posted on Monday evening that the two were still struggling.

Atsu was part of the Magpies squad that won promotion to the Premier League in 2017 after being loaned out for the season by Chelsea, and then made a permanent move.

Atsu, who scored in stoppage time on Sunday to secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa, left St James’ Park in the summer of 2021 having made 121 appearances for the club.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria in the early hours of Monday morning, followed by a second of 7.5. Around 1,700 people are known to have died in the border region with rescue teams searching for survivors.