Christian Atsu cancelled plane ticket just hours before earthquake ultimately killed him

Former Premier League star Christian Atsu was confirmed dead on Saturday after his body was located within the rubble of his apartment building following the devastating earthquake in Turkey

Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer

09:23, 18 Feb 2023

Christian Atsu was due to fly to France hours before the earthquake hit, but cancelled his plans at the last minute(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Christian Atsu cancelled plans to leave Turkey at the last minute mere hours before being caught up in the devastating earthquake that ultimately killed him.

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The former Premier League star was confirmed dead on Saturday morning, 12 days after the disaster which claimed the lives of over 30,000 people in Turkey and parts of northern Syria.

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The heartbreaking news has since been compounded by reports that Atsu was due to fly to France to visit his family the night before the magnitude 7.8 quake hit, but changed his mind after scoring the winning goal in his Hatayspor side's Super Lig victory over Kasimpasa.

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Hatayspor Administrative Manager Fatih Ilek told Turkish outlet Radyospor: "Christian Atsu scored a last-minute goal in the Kasımpasa match. Actually, he was going abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he cancelled his ticket.

"The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had a flight at 11pm. Cancelled the ticket. There was an earthquake at 4am. Absolutely a tragedy."

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The 31-year-old's passing was confirmed by his agent Nana Sechere, who wrote on Twitter: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support.

Turkey and northern Syria have been devastated by the disaster(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"I ask that whilst we make the necessary arrangements, that everyone would please respect the privacy of the family during this very difficult time."

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It's understood that the Ghanaian, who is survived by a wife and two children, was living alone on the ninth floor of his apartment building when it collapsed. Inaccurate reports that Atsu had been found alive began circulating last week, but were later debunked.

Chelsea legend John Terry led the tributes to Atsu on social media, posting a photo of his former team-mate along with the caption: "RIP my friend," along with a blue heart and a broken heart emoji.

Atsu was on Chelsea's books for four years, but never played a single game for the senior side(Image: GETTY )

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Atsu's career began when he was snapped up by Porto from Ghana as an 18-year-old. Two years later in 2013 he joined Chelsea, but spent his entire four-year spell at Stamford Bridge out on loan, at Vitesse, Everton, Bouremouth, Malaga and Newcastle.

He made his move to St James' Park permanent in 2017 after helping the club seal promotion back to the Premier League, and stayed there for four more years before moving to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Raed in 2021.

After just a year in the Gulf state, he joined Hatayspor.

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