Former Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has been announced dead following a heart attack, it has been confirmed.
Sadly, it has been confirmed that Cheick Tiote has died in China at the age of 30. RIP.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) June 5, 2017
The combative midfielder was on the books with Beijing Enterprises in the second tier of Chinese football following a winter move from Newcastle.
It’s believed that the player collapsed to the ground in training this afternoon with what was said to be a heart attack. Cheick was rushed to hospital and later pronounced dead.
Given the heightened reporting and documentation of health issues with footballers, especially heart problems, it’s a surprise that if Cheick did have any underlying heart issues that they haven’t surfaced before today.
Tiote joined Newcastle in August 2010 in a £3.6m deal from FC Twente and enjoyed a great six-and-a-half-years at St. James’ Park, making 156 appearances scoring just once, that memorable equaliser in the 4-4 draw with Arsenal.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Cheick at this time.
