The body recovered from the wreckage of a plane in the English Channel islands’ seabed near France is in fact Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala.
Sala and pilot Dave Ibbotson were lost at sea on a flight from France to Wales, where Sala was set to begin life as Cardiff City’s record signing.
[ WATCH: Cardiff City salutes Sala after goal ]
A body was identified by remote vehicle earlier this week, and recovered Wednesday evening.
Breaking: @dorsetpolice confirm body recovered from plane in English Channel is @CardiffCityFC striker Emiliano Sala.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 7, 2019
Dorset police: "The families of Mr Sala and Mr Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will be supported by specially-trained liaison officers."
Here’s a timeline of events that precipitated the identification of Sala’s body.
Jan. 22 -- Plane carrying pilot Dave Ibbotson and Sala is reported missing, search begins.
Jan. 24 -- Police call off first search for plane.
Jan. 25 -- Nantes criticizes cancelation of first search.
Jan. 28 -- American scientist funds second search for plane, Sala, Ibbotson.
Jan. 30 -- Seat cushions found, suspected to be from plane.
Feb. 2 -- Cardiff plays first match since plane goes missing, team salutes Sala during goal celebration.
Feb. 3 -- Wreckage found
Feb. 4 -- Video shows one body visible in wreckage of plane.
Feb. 6 -- Nantes demands payment from Cardiff for Sala.
Feb. 6 -- Body recovered from plane, taken for identification
Feb. 7 -- Body identified as Sala.