English Premier League
Christian Atsu: Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel pays tribute to Ex-Chelsea team mate
By Wale Mustapha
Former captain of Nigeria’s men national team, John Obi Mikel has joined rest of football fraternity to pay tribute to Ghanaian star, Christian Atsu who died in the dreadful earthquake in Turkey.
Agent of Atsu, Murat Uzunmehmet confirmed on Saturday that the lifeless body of the winger was found in the rubbles ending speculation of whether he could still be alive.
Atsu was a Chelsea player between 2013 and 2017 after his big money move from FC Porto but the 31-year-old did not make a single competitive appearance for the Blue till he left Stanford Bridge.
The Ghanaian experienced loans spells with Everton, Vittesse Arnhem, Malaga, Bournemouth and Newcastle to see out his deal with Chelsea with a permanent move to Newcastle.
Mikel who enjoyed a brotherly relationship with Atsu during their time at Chelsea, wrote on his Instagram page, saying:”I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Christian Atsu, my thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this very devastating event.”
Atsu was won the Player of the Tournament Prize at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea as his goal against Guinea won the Goal of the same tournament.
