Atsu was found dead under the wreck of his home on Saturday (February 18) almost two weeks after two devastating earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria.

The 31-year-old, who scored nine goals in 65 appearances for Ghana, had been missed since February 6 when the natural disaster resulted in the collapse of his apartment in the Turkish province of Hatay.

Tributes have poured in since his tragic death as organisers of the African Games, which are due to be staged in Ghanaian capital Accra later this year, expressed their condolences.

"You will forever be celebrated, Christian Atsu," Accra 2023 posted on Twitter.

"Your dedication to the nation and your good heart to mankind will always stay close to our hearts.

"Deepest condolences to the family."

A Turkish Airlines plane carrying Atsu’s body has landed at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra.

Ghanaian vice-president Mahamudu Bawumia and Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Evans Bobie Opoku were among the dignitaries present at the airport.

More than 46,000 people have been reported dead while thousands of others are missing as a result of the earthquakes that reached 7.8 and 7.5 in the magnitude scale.

Atsu represented Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and was named player of the 2015 African Cup of Nations where the Black Stars finished as runners-up.

The majority of the wingers club appearances in the Premier League came for Newcastle United.

Atsu featured 121 times for the Premier League side over a five-year period which also included a spell at Everton.

He leaves behind his wife Marie-Claire Rupio Atsu and their three children.

A minute's silence was held for Atsu before Newcastle’s Premier League match against Liverpool, which was attended by his wife and children.