A Ghanaian by birth, Christian's first professional club would be Porto under Andre Villas-Boas. In 2013 he moved to Chelsea for a reported £3.5m before being loaned out to a number of clubs including Everton and Bournemouth in England. His final loan destination would be Newcastle United, however, on a one year deal with a £6.2m buy-out clause which was triggered at the end of that season. Atsu was a huge success at International level, playing well over 50 games for his county, including playing in the 2014 World Cup.

HIs time at Newcastle would start off well enough being fully utilised in a Championship season that would see his Magpies side promoted back to the Premier League at the first attempt in 2017. He would also be well utilised in the 17/18 and 18/19 seasons before becoming a bit part player before being forced into the background under Steve Bruce.

He would eventually slip away, on a free transfer, in the summer of 2021. He would move to Al Raed following his release. After playing just eight times in one season in Saudi he would then move to Turkish side Hatayspor in 2022.

On 6 February 2023 tragedy would strike. Initially reported 'missing' in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Antakya, Turkey. In the confusion that followed initial reports suggested Atsu had been found in the rubble of the building he had been staying in, sadly these reports turned out to be unfounded, and on the 18 February it was confirmed that his body had been found.

Christian was afforded a full state funeral with a military guards when his body was returned to Ghana.

A devout Christian, he left a wife Marie-Claire and three children. Two sons and one daughter. His wife and children attended the Newcastle United vrs Liverpool game on the 18 February 2023 where he was honoured with a minutes applause prior to the game, with the players also wearing black armbands in his memory. A sad day. A bright spark extinguished.