The worst fears of family, friends and fans have been confirmed as the body pulled from the Piper Malibu was identified as Sala, 28.
Dorset Police made the heartbreaking announcement last night and said officers had notified the family.
Sala’s light aircraft went missing from radar on January 21 while flying over the English Channel en route to Cardiff from Nantes, France.
He was preparing to join his new club, Cardiff City, following their record-breaking £15 million acquisition from FC Nantes.
The body of his pilot, 59-year-old David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, is yet to be found.
The Piper Malibu N264DB plane lost contact with air traffic control over the Channel, north of Guernsey, on Monday, January 21.
Mr Mearns - known as the "Shipwreck Hunter" - and his team located the aircraft within two hours of commencing their search.
He said the discovery had been so quick because the team had been looking for a static object rather than in a dynamic environment searching for survivors.
He tweeted last night: "Rest in Peace Emiliano.
"I was glad to provide some small comfort to Romina, Mercedes and the whole Sala family during the past two weeks but my heart goes out to the family and friends of David Ibbotson whose loss is the same."
Dorset Police said in a statement: "The body brought to Portland Port today, Thursday, February 7, 2019, has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala.
"The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.
"Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.
"HM Coroner will continue to investigate the circumstances of this death supported by Dorset Police."
Cardiff City issued a statement shortly after the recovered body was confirmed to be that of the Argentine striker: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano.
“He and David will forever remain in our thoughts.”
