Ex-Chelsea and Newcastle man responding to treatment after being ‘removed from earthquake wreckage’ in Turkey

Former Chelsea player Christian Atsu has been taken to hospital with injuries after being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building this morning.

The Ghanaian, who signed for Chelsea in his first taste of English football, also played for Bournemouth and Newcatsle in the Premier League and the Championship.

The 31-year-old now plays for Hatayspor in Turkey and scored the winner against Kasimpasa a day before the earthquake struck that killed 4800 people across the country. Atsu’s building was sunk into the ground but the ex-Ghana international has been rescued, his club confirmed.

Following a vigorous search and rescue operation the club’s vice president Mustafa Özat confirmed the player was pulled out with injuries and has now been taken to hospital.

He told a local radio station Radyo Gol in Turkey: “Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries.

“Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.

“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”

Atsu has played 65 times for Ghana and moved to Turkey after a spell with Saudi Arabia side Al-Raed last summer.

Chelsea sent out a message on their Twitter handle as well as Newcastle who revealed they were thinking about their former player and all the people who were trapped in the rubble yesterday.

Several rescue operations are still arriving in Turkey to help those trapped and recovering from the earthquake which has swept the parts of the country to its feet.