Emiliano Sala was with FC Nantes before his move to Cardiff was confirmed over the weekend. He was believed to have been flying between the two cities when the light aircraft disappeared off radar near Les Casquets.
In what is believed to have been one of his last tweet’s Sala expressed his love for Nantes FC.
La ultima ciao @FCNantes pic.twitter.com/SV1dNHbYYH
— Emiliano Sala (@EmilianoSala1) January 21, 2019
Just two days earlier, Cardiff had excitedly reported his signing which was a club record. He had said he was excited and couldn’t wait to start playing with the Welsh club.
@EmilianoSala1: “I can’t wait to start training, meet my new teammates and get down to work.”
https://t.co/qhYX2deJ9G#CityAsOnepic.twitter.com/vgpAHRgdQC
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 19, 2019
The search for the light aircraft, Piper Malibu, was launched shortly before 21:00 last night when it disappeared off radar near Les Casquets off the coast of Alderney.
The Alderney and Guernsey lifeboats took to the water, while the Channel Islands Air Search plane and two coastguard helicopters joined in the search.
While the search was stood down at 02:00 it resumed at 08:00 today. By then it was rumoured that a professional footballer was one of two people on board the plane.
That has been confirmed by reporters in France who have spoken with Nantes officials.
Selon une très bonne source, le joueur @EmilianoSala1 a disparu dans un accident d’avion entre Nantes et Cardiff. Il était revenu saluer ses coéquipiers nantais avant de repartir dans le club où il était transféré. C’est le joueur Pallois qui l’a conduit à l’aéroport hier.
— Arnaud Wajdzik (@awajdzik) January 22, 2019
Pictured top: Emiliano Sala is believed to be one of two people missing in a light aircraft which disappeared off radar near Alderney last night.