The 31-year-old disappeared almost two weeks after the earthquake on February 6, The remains were pulled out of the ruins on February 18, agents confirmed.
Atsu, when he won the last game for his team, canceled a trip to see his family and joined in the celebration with his teammates, IIek said.
“Christian Atsu told the coach that he wanted to take more time before the match with Gaziantep FK. ‘Can I go if I find a team?’ said. Volkan Demirel also accepted this request,” he told Radyospor.
“He didn’t play against Gaziantep FK but scored a goal in the last minute in the Kasımpasa match. He went abroad to visit his family. But when he played well and scored, he canceled his ticket. The earthquake happened on his happiest day. He had an hour flight 11 at night. Canceled the ticket. At 4 in the morning there was an earthquake. It was a tragedy.”
News of his untimely death has rocked the football world, with tributes pouring in for the late football star.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to send Christian Atsu’s remains back home for burial, the Ghanaian embassy said.