Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Luke Birch

Former Everton player Christian Atsu found alive after Turkey earthquake

Ex-Everton winger Christian Atsu is recovering in hospital with injuries after being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Turkey.

Atsu was pulled from the rubble in Antakya, where he is playing for his current club Hatayspor.

Everton wrote on Twitter on Tuesday morning: "We are relieved to hear @ChristianAtsu20 has been found and is recovering in hospital. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria."

READ MORE: Sean Dyche has early Demarai Gray dilemma at Everton amid Dominic Calvert-Lewin concern

READ MORE: Abdoulaye Doucoure benefits from 'very brave decision' as Everton find possible Liverpool blueprint

Atsu scored the 97th-minute winner to give Hatayspor a 1-0 home victory over Kasimpasa on Sunday.

After the match, Atsu said on Twitter: "Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet @Hatayspor."

Under Roberto Martinez, Atsu spent the 2014/15 season on loan at Everton from parent club Chelsea.

He made 13 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions, seven of which came in the Europa League.

The Ghanaian earned two assists during his time at Goodison Park, including one in a 3-0 win over Newcastle United in L4.

The winger struggled to nail down a first-team place during his time at Everton after suffering a hamstring injury in the middle of the season.

Atsu has earned 60 caps for his native Ghana, scoring 10 goals. The last of Atsu's international caps came in September 2019.

The winger had further loan spells at AFC Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle, before signing permanently for the Magpies in 2017.

Atsu signed for Hatayspor in September 2022 for around £600,000, having spent one year playing in Saudi Arabia.

The 31-year-old has made three Turkish Super Lig appearances thus far for his new club.

The Ghana Football Association tweeted this morning: "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."

More than 5,000 people have been killed after earthquakes hit south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria during the early hours of Monday morning.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.