Hatayspor honoured the memory of their late player Christian Atsu in a poignant display during their first game since the devastating earthquake in February.
The Ghana winger tragically lost his life in the earthquake, along with several others, including Hatayspor Technical Director Taner Savut.
In a heartfelt tribute, Hatayspor displayed Atsu’s shirt before kickoff in their pre-season friendly against Hull City on Sunday, with a minute’s silence held.
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Her zaman kalbimizde ♥️#AtakaşHatayspor pic.twitter.com/n15455OB2U
— Hatayspor (@Hatayspor_FK) July 9, 2023
The gesture served as a poignant reminder of the talented player who had contributed to the team’s success before his untimely passing. The friendly match was played in honour of Atsu and Taner Savut, whose presence was felt through the memories they left behind.
Atsu had made a significant impact on the field for Hatayspor, scoring the winning goal in their last game before the earthquake occurred on February 6. The 31-year-old’s body was later recovered and transported to Ghana for his final burial, providing closure for his family and loved ones.
During his career, Atsu played for a number of clubs, including Porto, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Everton, AFC Bournemouth, and Al Raed. Atsu scored nine goals in 65 appearances for Ghana and was named the best player at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, where the Black Stars finished second to eventual winners Ivory Coast.