Christian Atsu: Chelsea to auction shirts won against Everton to support late winger’s charity

Chelsea Football Club, the club that took late Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu to England early in his career has announced a package to support his charity.

According to a publication on the club’s website after Saturday’s game against another of Atsu’s clubs, Everton, the club will auction all the shirts and other items used during the match with the proceeds going to Arms Around the Child, the charity which Atsu was an ambassador.

“Following today’s Premier League match at Stamford Bridge between two of the late Christian Atsu’s clubs, the shirts worn by the players and other items are up for auction,” the statement began.

“Money raised will be going to Arms Around the Child, a charity for which Christian was an ambassador, and it will fund the completion of the school they had started building in his native Ghana.

“Last month we sadly lost Christian, who was a Chelsea player between 2013 and 2017, in the terrible earthquake that hit Turkey where he had moved to play. His funeral is this weekend.

“The auction, which includes signed shirts from all the squad as well as a variety of items from club legends, will run until 2 pm on 8 April.

“Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta said: ’This initiative allows us to celebrate the life of Christian, an individual who was well-loved within the club and someone we deeply miss.

Club captain Ceasar Azplicueta added, “On the weekend we face another of Christian’s former teams in Everton, it feels appropriate that we look to build on the fantastic charity work Christian had started with Arms Around the Child to build a new school that will benefit orphaned children in his home country.

“Christian’s wonderful personality shone through during the times we shared together and any contribution to the shirt auction will offer valuable support towards the legacy he leaves behind,” he explained.

Ghana on Friday organized a state-assisted funeral for the former FC Porto and Black Stars winger before he was laid to rest in his hometown of Ada Foh in the Greater Accra Region.