Cheick Tiote dead: Ex-EPL, Ivory Coast player passes away in training collapse at Beijing Enterprises
IVORY Coast international and former Premier League midfielder Cheick Tiote has died aged 30 while training with his Chinese club Beijing Enterprises.
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IVORY Coast international midfielder Cheick Tiote has died aged 30 while training with his Chinese club Beijing Enterprises, his spokesman announced in a statement.
UK media reports said Tiote collapsed on the Enterprise training pitch and later died in hospital. A heart attack is the suspected cause of death, UK reports said.
Tiote - who was part of the Ivory Coast squad that delivered the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after a 23-year drought, although he was injured for the final - had only moved to China in February after ending a seven-year stay with English outfit Newcastle United.
“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,” Tiote’s spokesman Emanuele Palladino said.
“We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.
“We ask for all your prayers.”
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez paid tribute to the talented Tiote, one of 10 children who like many of his international team-mates grew up in abject poverty and didn’t possess a pair of boots until he was 15.
“It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death,” Benitez told the Newcastle website.
“In the all the time that I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and above all, a great man.
“Our hearts go out to his family and friends at such a sad time.”
Tiote moved to Newcastle from Dutch side FC Twente in 2010 and made 161 appearances for the Magpies, scoring once -- the equaliser when Newcastle recovered from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with Arsenal in 2011.
The 52-times capped Tiote, who was in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads, began his European club career with Belgian outfit Anderlecht but only played four times in three years with them -- being loaned out to Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade -- before moving to Twente in 2008.
Newcastle said in a statement they were “devastated” whilst Alan Pardew, who was manager of Newcastle for a large part of the time Tiote was there said his goal in the 4-4 draw with Arsenal was an iconic moment of Premier League history.
“I’m devastated to hear the news about my former player and friend Cheick Tiote,” Pardew said in a statement, quoted by independent.ie.
“From the moment I arrived at Newcastle, Cheick was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field often defied belief.
“I loved him. He’s everything that you want in a Newcastle player.
“To hear the news that he has passed away at the age of 30 breaks my heart and my sympathies go out to all his family and friends who will be devastated by this news.”
We'll never forget you, Cheick. â«ï¸âªï¸ pic.twitter.com/c8aO6EyW5w
â Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 5, 2017
ððð may Allah gives grant you jannah brother Tiote ððð
â Demba Ba (@dembabafoot) June 5, 2017
Gutted to hear the awful news about my former teammate Cheik Tiote today. Thoughts with his friends and family.
â Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) June 5, 2017
Devastated to hear of Cheik Tiote's death. A wonderful man, who was always laughing or smiling. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
â Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 5, 2017
Rip chieky-man... you absolute warrior ð¥
â Rob Elliot (@the_dilsh) June 5, 2017
Such sad news about cheick tiote... he was genuinely one of the nicest/funniest guys I've ever met and will be sorely missed! Rest in peace! pic.twitter.com/nBcnFturAf
â Andros Townsend (@andros_townsend) June 5, 2017
Rip Cheick Tiote ðð¿ðð¿ð
â Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) June 5, 2017
Devastating news of the death of Cheick Tiote. RIP. â«âª
â Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 5, 2017
Shocked to hear the news that former @NUFC midfielder Cheick Tiote has passed away.. thoughts & prayers with his family & friends!
â Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 5, 2017
Rest In Peace, Cheick Tioté, my condolences to his family and friends ðð¼ pic.twitter.com/ZDEXdG1rzt
â Victor Wanyama (@VictorWanyama) June 5, 2017
I am speechless and so incredibly sad. Cheick Tioté was one of the nicest and toughest teammates I have ever had. Rest in peace brother.
â Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) June 5, 2017
Dreadful news that Cheick Tioté has passed away. So young. So tragic.
â Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 5, 2017
The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with the family and friends of Cheick Tiote after his passing today. Rest in peace.
â Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 5, 2017
We are saddened to hear of the sudden, tragic passing of Cheick Tioté and would like to express our condolences to his friends and family.
â Manchester City (@ManCity) June 5, 2017
Rest in peace, Cheick Tioté - our condolences are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/F6FvoNkna1
â Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 5, 2017
The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are with the loved ones of Cheick Tiote
â Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 5, 2017
May he rest in peace pic.twitter.com/zEo5FF5lcE
Everyone at the club is saddened to learn of the tragic death of Cheick Tiote. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/OLcZtBscBu
â Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 5, 2017
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing Cheick Tioté. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace.
â Football Australia (@FFA) June 5, 2017
Originally published as Cheick Tiote dead: Ex-EPL, Ivory Coast player passes away in training collapse at Beijing Enterprises