Turkish second division side Yeni Matalyaspor have confirmed that their goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, has died following the earthquake that devastated the country.
More than 5,000 people lost their lives in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, including 28-year-old Turkaslan.
Twitter @YMSkulubu
Yeni Matalyaspor confirmed the heartbreaking news on Tuesday
A club statement read: “Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Türkaslan, lost his life after being collapsed by the earthquake. Rest in peace.
“We won’t forget you, beautiful person.”
The catastrophic earthquake swept through Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday morning, wreaking havoc on many communities.
It has also affected the sports world, with former Premier League star Christian Atsu injured following the disaster.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle winger, who plies his trade with Super Lig side Hatayspor, was missing after being caught at Kahramanmaras, where Hatayspor are based, along with the club’s sporting director Taner Savut.
Hatayspor vice-president Mustafa Ozat has confirmed that Atsu emerged from the rubble but was injured, while the search for Savut continues.
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Atsu Incredibly Survived Earthquakes
Speaking to Radyo Gol, Ozat said: “Christian Atsu has been injured. Our sporting director Taner Savut is unfortunately still under the rubble.
He added: “Hatay was deeply affected. We are nearing the end of the most dangerous hours.
It was also revealed that two other Hatayspor players – Burak Oksuz and Bertug Yildirim – were also rescued from the rubble.
And two members of the technical team – Ekrem Eksioglu and Osman Ates – also survived the wreckage, in good health.
Atsu’s teammates Onur Ergun and Burak Oksuz were found alive by rescue teams on Monday and Hatayspor’s Portuguese players Ruben Ribeiro and Cape Verdean Ze Luis are safe.
Hatayspor defender Kerim Alici managed to pull himself out of the rubble.
