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Former Newcastle United winger trapped under rubble after earthquake

By Cade Cracas

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Christian Atsu of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on January 01, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Christian Atsu of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on January 01, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) /
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Update: As of  Feb. 18, it was reported that Atsu was found passed away. Rest in peace and Newcastle Toons extends prayers to his family and friends.

After a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey overnight, former Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu has been reported to be trapped under the rubble.

He is currently a member of the Turkish Süper Lig club Hatayspor, which is based in Turkey.

The earthquake is reported as being disastrous, killing over 1,000 people at this time. The United Kingdom is sending search and rescue specialists to Turkey following the devastating earthquake in order to help.

MALATYA, TURKIYE – FEBRUARY 06: An aerial view of debris of a collapsed building after 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Malatya, Turkiye on February 06, 2023. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkiye said the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcik district in Turkiyeâs southern province of Kahramanmaras. Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis provinces are heavily affected by the quake. (Photo by Sercan Kucuksahin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
MALATYA, TURKIYE – FEBRUARY 06: An aerial view of debris of a collapsed building after 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Malatya, Turkiye on February 06, 2023. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkiye said the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcik district in Turkiyeâs southern province of Kahramanmaras. Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis provinces are heavily affected by the quake. (Photo by Sercan Kucuksahin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Before playing at Hatayspor, Atsu played for Al Raed FC in Saudi Arabia where he contributed an assist in eight contests. He joined Al Raed FC in the 2021 offseason after spending four years with Newcastle United.

With Newcastle United, Atsu provided a spark as a rotational winger. In 2016, Newcastle won the EFL Championship with Atsu residing in a big role. Through 32 games played, he contributed five goals and an assist, helping the team earn promotion to the Premier League.

Over the next four seasons with the team, he would contribute four goals and seven assists for the team, proving to be a big help to the growing team.

On Twitter, Newcastle United issued their condolences after hearing about the scary situation.

“Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20,” via Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) on Twitter.

ELAZIG, TURKIYE – FEBRUARY 06: Search and rescue operations continue after 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Elazig, Turkiye on February 06, 2023. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkiye said the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcik district in Turkiyeâs southern province of Kahramanmaras. Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis provinces are heavily affected by the quake. (Photo by Ismail Sen /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
ELAZIG, TURKIYE – FEBRUARY 06: Search and rescue operations continue after 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Elazig, Turkiye on February 06, 2023. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkiye said the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 a.m. (0117GMT) and was centered in the Pazarcik district in Turkiyeâs southern province of Kahramanmaras. Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya, Osmaniye, Hatay, and Kilis provinces are heavily affected by the quake. (Photo by Ismail Sen /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

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As of now, the information on the well-being of Atsu is unknown. When more details are provided this story will be updated. 

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