Turkish club reveal goalkeeper died in earthquake but Christian Atsu rescued
Turkish goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan has died following Monday’s earthquake in the country.
The 28-year-old’s club, second division Yeni Malatyaspor, confirmed the news on Twitter. Turkaslan played six times after joining in 2021.
“Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace,” they wrote. “We will not forget you, beautiful person.”
More than 7,800 people have died in Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquake.
Former Newcastle forward Christian Atsu, who now plays in Turkey for Hatayspor, was pulled alive from the rubble of a building he was in.
The former Newcastle midfielder Christian Atsu has been rescued from the rubble of a Turkish building that collapsed during the devastating earthquake on Monday, the Ghana Football Association and his club have said.
The 31-year-old Ghana international, who plays for the Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, was unaccounted for along with his club’s sporting director, Taner Savut.
There were conflicting reports about Atsu’s status on Monday, but Ghana’s FA provided a positive update on social media on Tuesday. “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.”
Hatayspor’s vice-president Mustafa Özat told Radyo Gol: “Christian Atsu was pulled out injured. Our sporting director, Taner Savut, is unfortunately still under the rubble.”
Everton, one of Atsu’s former clubs, responded to the good news. “We are relieved to hear @ChristianAtsu20 has been found and is recovering in hospital,” they tweeted. “Our thoughts continue to be with everyone affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.”
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit south-east Turkey and northern Syria during the early hours of Monday, followed by a second measuring 7.5.