June 6 – Tributes are pouring in following the tragic death at the age of 30 of Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote who collapsed during a training session in China.
The former Newcastle defensive midfielder, who moved to the Far East in February to play for Chinese second division side Beijing Enterprises, was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment but failed to recover.
Tiote played for seven seasons for Newcastle, the first six of those in the Premier League, and made over 150 appearances for the club. He was a member of the Ivorian squad that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
His representative Emanuele Palladino said: “It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises.
“We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
Tiote was part of the Ivorian squad that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and also won the Dutch title with FC Twente in 2010.
A statement from Newcastle said: “We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of Cheick Tiote at the age of just 30. The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Cheick’s family, friends, team-mates and everyone connected with the clubs he represented.”
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