Former Premier League star dies suddenly while playing football in China.
Cheick Tiote suffered a stroke on the training ground of Beijing Enterprise Club on the afternoon of June 5th and passed away just an hour later.
"With deep sadness, I confirm that my client Cheick Titote passed away today following a stroke during training with his Beijing Enterprise team. We cannot share more at this time and ask for everyone's respect for his family's privacy during this difficult time. Please pray for Cheick," his agent Emanuele Palladino said yesterday.
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Tiote at its launch event in Beijing on February 7th. |
The Beijing Business Club also issued a statement regarding the incident: "At 6 PM on June 5th, Tiote collapsed and lost consciousness during practice. He was immediately taken to the hospital for emergency treatment, but passed away at 7 PM."
Tiote joined Beijing Enterprises in the Chinese Second Division in February 2017, following a transfer from Newcastle – the club where the 30-year-old defensive midfielder had played since August 2010. Before Newcastle's relegation at the end of the 2015-2016 season, Tiote was considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
Tiote played 156 games for Newcastle, but only scored one goal. That goal is the one that the Magpies will remember forever – a spectacular volley that sealed a 4-4 draw in a match where Arsenal were leading 4-0 at halftime, on February 5, 2011. |
Wearing the Ivory Coast national team jersey, Tiote was a key player in midfield, participating in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and winning the African Cup of Nations in 2015.
After learning of his death, the football world expressed their condolences."We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of former Newcastle player Cheick Tiote in China," the English club's Twitter account wrote.
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Tiote when he played for Newcastle. |
Coach Rafa Benitez called Tiote "a great personality," speaking about the player he coached for over a year. "I am deeply saddened to hear of Cheick's passing today," he shared. "Throughout the time I knew and worked with him, Cheick was an example of professionalism, dedication, and above all, a great personality. My deepest condolences to his family and friends during this time of sorrow."
Demba Ba, a teammate who played alongside Tiote for six and a half years at Newcastle, also paid tribute to his friend on Twitter. He wrote: "May Allah take you to heaven, my brother Tiote."
Another former teammate, goalkeeper Steve Harper, wrote: "It's terrible to hear this awful news about my former teammate Cheick Tiote. My condolences to his friends and family."
According to VNE
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