In pictures: former Newcastle United player Christian Atsu laid to rest in traditional Ghanaian funeral

Hundreds of people gathered today for the funeral of Christian Atsu, who tragically died last month in the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Ghana’s president was present for the funeral held outside the State House in the capital, Accra.

There were also representatives from Ghana’s national team and Atsu’s Turkish club Hatayspor.

Over his successful career, Atsu also played for Newcastle United, Chelsea and Everton.

Atsu is regarded as a national hero for all of his charity work. He spent a lot of his time working with children and was in the middle of constructing a school in his hometown when he tragically died.

The footballer had previously said “Whenever I go home, I am happy. You never forget the person you were before you left.

“I survived but I don’t forget.”

Atsu had been missing for two weeks after the devastating earthquake before his body was recovered.

He will be buried later in his home village in south-eastern Ghana.