Ghana and Newcastle United ace Christian Atsu has helped release nine African prisoners to date, it has emerged.

Last week, ChronicleLive revealed the big-hearted star had used his wages to help free a family jailed for pinching just over a quids worth of corn.

He also reportedly funded an operation for a gravely ill 62-year-old female prisoner.

Now it has emerged the Ghana international has shelled out thousands of pounds of his own cash alongside the Crime Check Foundation to release some of his homeland's poorest prisoners who were locked up for petty offences.

"He has so far donated seven thousand pounds into the Petty Offenders Fund which has been launched by our Crime Check Foundation to take care of misdemeanors," said a spokesperson for the charity.

"The amount will cater for about thirty prisoners.

"Currently, nine prisoners have been released. He has promised to release many more."

The charity previously confirmed he had helped pay the fines of some criminals while providing money for the "voiceless".