Fears for missing Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala

Cardiff City’s $27 million signing was reportedly on board a light aircraft that disappeared over the English Channel.

Emiliano Sala during the French L1 football match between Nantes and Rennes. Picture: AFP

French maritime authorities tonight said that a light aircraft lost radar contact over the English Channel late yesterday, but could not confirm whether Cardiff City soccer player Emiliano Sala was on board.

British and French media reported that the former Nantes striker, who signed for the Welsh club this week in a deal worth about 17 million euros ($A27 million), was on the plane.

The British coastguard said in a statement that it was assisting Guernsey Coastguard with a search for a light aircraft missing off Alderney in the Channel Islands, but that the plane had not yet been found.

Guernsey police said the missing aircraft had been flying from Nantes to Cardiff with two people on board.

A record signing for Cardiff, 28-year-old Argentinian striker Sala completed a move to the Premier League club at the weekend but had returned to France, where he had been playing for Ligue 1 side Nantes.

French media, quoting police sources, said Sala was on the light aircraft that disappeared from radar on Monday night while apparently flying from Nantes to Cardiff.

Cardiff told the BBC that they are “seeking clarification” over what has happened.

Sala had signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Welsh club after scoring 12 Ligue 1 goals in 19 appearances this season.

AAP