EMILIANO Sala's missing plane has been found on the bed of the English Channel, his family has been told.
The wreckage was discovered and identified by shipwreck hunter David Mearns this morning.
Cardiff ace Sala has been missing since the plane disappeared on January 21
The Piper Malibu N264DB carrying 28-year-old Argentinian Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, disappeared over the Channel on January 21 after leaving Nantes in France for Cardiff.
An official search operation was called off on January 24 after Guernsey's harbour master Captain David Barker said the chances of survival following such a long period were "extremely remote".
But a privately funded search directed by Mr Mearns, a marine scientist, resumed this morning while a separate hunt was carried out by the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Mr Mearns said: "A plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by Dave Ibbotsen has been located.
“It was located earlier this morning by my crew.
“In agreement with the AAIB, as soon as it was located their vessel moved in over the wreckage and has been conducting all of the investigations.
“The families have been informed and the AAIB will be making a statement tomorrow morning
“This is about the best result we could expect for the families but is devastating news.”
The plane had requested to descend then lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.
Argentinian striker Sala was signed by Cardiff for a club record £15million.
Fans paid tribute yesterday by laying scarfs, daffodils and caps ahead of their clash with Bournemouth, their first home game since Sala vanished. They won 2-0.
Wreckage from the plane which disappeared with Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board has been found in the English Channel
Pilot Dave Ibbotson was flying the Premier League star when the plane vanished
Emiliano Sala – Underwater search to find plane of tragic footballer and pilot David Ibbotson begins
Cardiff City pay tribute to Emiliano Sala as search chief says he's 'confident' of finding plane wreckage
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