NEW Cardiff City signing Emiliano Sala has gone missing after a light aircraft carrying the striker disappeared from radar around 8:30pm last night.
The plane was travelling from Nantes to Cardiff yesterday evening, with just two people on board.
Guernsey Police have confirmed the incident and started a search for the missing aircraft on Tuesday morning.
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman said: "We are very concerned by the latest news that a light aircraft lost contact over the Channel last night.
"We are awaiting confirmation before we can say anything further. We are very concerned for the safety of Emiliano Sala."
The plane fell off the radar near Casquets lighthouse on Alderney in the Channel Islands.
The disappearance is not within the UK search and rescue area but coastguard helicopter crews from Alderney and Guernsey have joined the search for the missing aircraft.
On Tuesday morning French police confirmed that Sala was on the missing plane.
A later statement from Cardiff City CEO Ken Choo read: "We were very shocked upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing. We expected Emiliano to arrive last night and today was to be his first day with the team."
"We made the decision first thing this morning to call off training with the thoughts of the squad, management staff and entire club with Emiliano and the pilot. We continue to pray for positive news."
"You could see the happiness on his face to sign for Cardiff, one of the best days of his life was what he expressed. We are very sad and would like to thank all the people trying to support us today.”
Guernsey Police also issued a statement which read: "A number of floating objects have been seen in water. We have been unable to confirm whether any are from missing aircraft. We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on water chances of survival are unfortunately slim."
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