Speaking on Sunday, marine scientist David Mearns, who directed a privately-funded search operation north of Guernsey on behalf of the Sala family, said the wreckage of the plane was 'located earlier this morning'.

The Piper Malibu N264DB carrying 28-year-old Mr Sala and pilot David Ibbotson (59) disappeared on 21 January after leaving Nantes in France for Cardiff.

Two vessels, including one commissioned by the AAIB, using sonar had been taking part in a fresh search covering an area of around four square nautical miles.

Mr Mearns, the director of Blue Water Recoveries, led a team on the search vessel FPV Morven while the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) also sent a team aboard its the Geo Ocean III.

Mr Mearns tweeted: 'Wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala and piloted by David Ibbotson was located early this morning by the FPV MORVEN.

'As agreed with the AAIB they moved the GEO OCEAN III over the position we provided them to visually identify the plane by ROV.

'The families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by Police. The AAIB will be making a statement tomorrow. Tonight our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David.'

The privately-funded operation on behalf of the Sala family was made possible after a campaign raised more than £260,000 to fund it.

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Speaking to Sky News, Mr Mearns said: 'This is about the best result we could have hoped for the families.

'But tonight they have heard devastating news and in respect of the families I won't comment any further about what has happened.'

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Mearns said the said the AAIB had a 'high confidence level' the plane would be in the search zone.

It has been an anxious and heartbreaking time for the Argentinian striker's family since his plane disappeared.

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The plane had requested to descend before it lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.

An official search operation was called off on 24 January 24 after Guernsey's harbourmaster Captain David Barker said the chances of survival following such a long period were 'extremely remote'.

Two seat cushions, which are likely to have come from the plane, were found on a beach in Normandy last Monday.