Cheick Tiote DEAD: Ex-Newcastle star dies aged 30, former clubs and team-mates pay tribute

The news first broke out of China yesterday afternoon, where the former Newcastle star is playing for Chiense second-tier side Beijing Enterprises, that he had been taken ill after training.

It appears he was subsequently rushed to hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

His former club Newcastle released a short statement following confirmation of Tiote's death: "We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of former Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote in China today."

And a spokesman for the player, 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. We ask for all your prayers."

**READ THE TRAGIC WHATSAPP CHAT TIOTE HAD HOURS BEFORE HIS DEATH**

Current Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said: "It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick's death.

"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."

Club captain Jamaal Lascelles said: "There are not words to express how saddened I am  to hear the news that Cheick has died this afternoon.

"I have spoken to the team and non of us can believe it, my thoughts are with his family at this time. RIP Cheicky"

Anderlecht, who first signed Tiote from Ivorian side FC Bibo, wrote: "Another young man taken way too soon... #RIP Cheik Tiote Our thoughts are with his family."

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.

FC Twente posted a statement that read: "What a terrible news: Cheick Tiote (30) is today suddenly died. We wish family and survivors much strength."

Tiote won the Eredivisie title with FC Twente in 2010.

And Twente legend Jan van Halst said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened by his sudden death. Cheick was a great guy and a great professional.

"He was introverted and could enjoy silence of things. As a player Cheick was hard but fair and above all very strong. So we will always remember him at FC Twente.

"We wish family, friends and survivors much strength to process this loss."

Following his death, a tragic WhatsApp chat emerged where Tiote described himself as being “all good”.

Tiote appeared in high spirits as he swapped messages with his friend Yusuf Abubakar Tumi.

In it, he enquired about his pal’s health with the pair laughing together over Tiote’s demand for some free watches.

Hours later, it was announced the Beijing Enterprises midfielder had died after he collapsed in training.

The conversation was posted on Twitter by Tumi, who is a verified user.

Tumi starts the conversation saying after Tiote, who is saved in his phone as ‘Cheick T China’.

Tiote responds saying he is “good brother”, before asking after his friend.

Tumi then joked that he needed to get some watches off him to which Tiote responded: “U are the boss. U need to give for free.”

The tributes poured in for Cheick Tiote.

Gareth Bale, who lifted the Champions League with Real Madrid on Saturday, tweeted his condolences to the player’s family.

“Awful news, so sorry to hear about Cheick Tioté, my thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Alan Pardew also paid tribute to the former Newcastle star, revealing he has been left ‘devastated’ by news of his friend’s death.

He said: “Cheick was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field often defied belief.

"None of us will ever forget that incredible day when our Newcastle team came from 4-0 down to draw an unbelievable Premier League game against Arsenal, with Cheick's incredible goal in the final moments of that game [see top of story] one of the iconic moments in Premier League history.

"I loved him. He was everything that you wanted in a Newcastle player.”

Tiote remained at the Magpies for seven years - his sole Premier League goal coming in the 4-4 draw against Arsenal in February 2011.

In 2015 Tiote helped Ivory Coast win the Africa Cup of Nations, having made his international debut in 2009.

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 and played just three times before heading to China.

His last game for the Toon was in a 3-1 win over Birmingham in January.

Ex-Newcastle frontman Peter Lovenkrands told Sky Sports: "I'm still in a bit of a shock, so had to hear about what's happened to Cheick. I was one of his biggest admirers at the club, he was a fantastic player in the squad.

"He was a player who would always give 100 and 10 per cent on the pitch and in training. He was one of the players if you didn't pull your foot away in tackles you would get hurt because he would never hold back. He was always the one who was smiling and joking as well in training.

"One of the fittest guys I've met, he was just relentless that way in training that he was always at the highest level of fitness.

"It's just mind-boggling for me to hear what's happened, especially with a guy who was so fitness-orientated and so sharp in training and in games. That it could happen to him is a bit of a shock."

Tiote's former team-mate at Newcastle, Demba Ba, tweeted: “may Allah gives grant you jannah brother Tiote.” He included six crying emojis in his post.

While Newcastle legend Steve Harper, who played alongside Tiote, tweeted: "Gutted to hear the awful news about my former teammate Cheik Tiote today. Thoughts with his friends and family."

Jonas Gutierrez, who left Newcastle in 2015, added on Twitter: "Sad news. Always going to be remember our time together at NUFC. RIP my friend."

Ayoze Perez wrote: "I can't belive it. No words. I am broken. RIP Cheick."

Paul Dummet wrote: "Gutted to hear the news. A real nice guy. He helped me a lot as I was breaking into the first team so I can't thank him enough.

"RIP Cheicky."