Christian Atsu was pulled from the rubble of a building “with injuries” after the earthquakes in Turkey confirmed his club’s vice-president Mustafa Özat has told Turkish radio.

Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, was trapped after the earthquakes that have killed at least 4,800 people. Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut is still in the collapsed building.

“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries,” Özat told Radyo Gol. “Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble.

“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”

The football world was anxiously awaiting updates on Monday after the 31-year-old former Ghana international was reported missing. Atsu now plays with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor and the country’s border region was hit by the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down thousands of buildings, killing some 5,000 people, in several Turkish and Syrian cities on Monday.

Atsu was not found after team-mates and members of the club’s technical staff had reportedly been pulled from rubble and his condition and whereabouts were unconfirmed overnight until the Ghanaian Football Association said he had been found alive.

Everton, one of Christian Atsu’s former clubs, have tweeted that they are “relieved” to have heard that the Ghana winger is recovering in hospital.

Atsu played five Premier League games on loan at the Merseyside club during the 2014/15 season.

Former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu has been “successfully rescued” from under the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in southern Turkey.

The Ghana Football Association confirmed the news and said the 31-year-old is receiving treatment.

Atsu, who played for Chelsea and Newcastle, was reported missing on Monday after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria.

The former Ghana international, now playing with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, was said to be missing after team-mates and members of the club’s technical staff had reportedly been pulled from rubble.

A significant statement from the Ghana Football Federation - the governing body says that it has received news that Christan Atsu, capped 65 times for his country, has been “successfully rescued” and is receiving medical treatment.

Hatayspor manager Mustafa Özat has been speaking about Christian Atsu and the club’s sporting director Taner Savut.

“Christian Atsu was removed from the wreckage with injuries. Unfortunately, our sporting director Taner Savut is still under the rubble,” Özat said according to Joy Sports in Ghana.

“Hatay was deeply affected. We are coming towards the end of the most dangerous hours.”

Chelsea are among Atsu’s former clubs to send messages of support and solidarity.

There are hopeful reports coming out of Turkey this morning that Christian Atsu was found inside rubble and is alive.

Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, a journalist for Turkish outlet Vole, is reporting Atsu was pulled from the rubble and also that he has now been taken to hospital.

While Portuguese newspaper A Bola had earlier reported Atsu had been found alive, adding that the Ghanaian was injured and has a right foot problem and breathing difficulties.

The earlier report from the Guardian has now been updated to reflect Christian Atsu has not yet been found.

One similar report out of Portugal stated Atsu had been taken to hospital with a foot injury and breathing difficulties, but the Guardian’s edited story now says “remain unconfirmed” by Atsu’s club Hatayspor.