Plane 'flying from Nantes to Cardiff' disappears from radar amid fears footballer was on board

A plane understood to be flying from Nantes to Cardiff disappeared from the radar above the English Channel on Monday night amid fears a Premier League footballer was on board.

Rescue teams were scrambled to waters north of Alderney after the light aircraft with two on board vanished on Monday evening, Guernsey Police said.

This morning, French media reported Cardiff City's new signing Emiliano Sala was on board the plane when it went missing.

The striker, who joined the Welsh Premier League outfit on a £15million deal, was pictured on Instagram seemingly saying goodbye to his French teammates Monday lunchtime.

The Telegraph has contacted Cardiff City for a comment, but nobody was immediately able to respond. The BBC reports there is "genuine concern" at the club regarding the player.

Guernsey Police said: "A search and rescue operation is currently underway off the north of Alderney after a light aircraft disappeared from radar several hours ago.

"Two helicopters alongside the Guernsey and Alderney lifeboats are searching for it."

The Alderney lifeboat said it launched at 8.50pm on Monday night and the search was called off in the early hours due to bad weather.

On Tuesday morning, Guernsey Police said: "Searching for the light aircraft PA 46 Malibu resumed at 8am this morning. No trace has currently been found It was en route from Nantes, France to Cardiff, Wales with two people."

The plane is thought to have been travelling from Nantes in Brittany to Cardiff.

HM Coastguard said the incident was not in the UK search and rescue area, although it had sent two helicopters to help.

"HM Coastguard are currently assisting Guernsey Coastguard with a search for a light aircraft off Alderney in the Channel Islands," a spokeswoman said.

"HM Coastguard helicopters from Solent and Newquay have been helping to search overnight with nothing found."

The search and rescue operation had to deal with worsening conditions as they scoured the area on Monday night.

"At that time there were some showers around, but nothing too intense. Wind speeds were not too bad - average speeds were around 15 to 20mph," Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said.

"But it has got pretty wet, we've seen a band of rain push down from the north-west. That rain set in around 11.30pm to midnight and it's still raining now.

"It's also a bit windier, with gusts around 35mph."