Former Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote passed away aged 30 after suffering from a heart attack in training, according to reports in China.
Tiote, who is playing for China League One side Beijing BG, was collapsed during a training session this afternoon. Some reporters said he was dead at the hospital a few hours ago.
The club have just made a statement on Tiote’s death.
Cheick Tioté was an Ivorian footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. He won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast national team.
Tiote made his professional debut for Anderlecht in 2005 before moving to FC Twente three years later.
The defensive midfielder then secured a £3.5million switch to Newcastle in 2010.
He remained at the Magpies for seven years – his sole Premier League goal coming in the 4-4 draw against Arsenal in February 2011.
Tiote made just 22 appearances of Newcastle’s Premier League relegation campaign in 2015/16.
He remained on the periphery of manager Rafa Benitez’s plans at the start of last season but played just three times before heading to China.
