Tiote tragedy Ex-newcastle midfielder dies aged 30
Suspected heart attack strikes down midfielder Former team-mates pay tribute to ‘a nice guy’
Cheick Tioté, the former Newcastle United midfielder, has died of a suspected heart attack while training with his new club, Beijing Enterprises, in China.
The Ivory Coast international, who made more than 150 appearances for Newcastle in seven years, collapsed at the Enterprises training ground yesterday morning and died in hospital. Tributes have poured in for the 30-year-old, who signed for Newcastle from Dutch club FC Twente in 2010 and was hugely popular with team-mates and supporters.
Although injuries had taken their toll on the midfielder during the latter stages of his Newcastle career, restricting him to just three appearances last season, Tioté remained a charismatic presence at the club’s training ground until his departure for China four months ago.
Tioté, signed for £3.5 million, was a key player in the Newcastle side who finished fifth in 2012 and, in his prime, was considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the country.
Tioté scored just one goal for the Magpies, but it was one of the most memorable in the club’s recent history as he smashed in a 30-yard volley to equalise against Arsenal in a 4-4 draw at St James’ Park in 2011.
Alan Pardew, his former Newcastle manager, paid tribute, saying: “I’m devastated to hear the news about my former player and friend Cheick Tioté. From the moment I arrived at Newcastle, he was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field often defied belief.
“There were days when he must have covered every blade of grass on a football field, and it didn’t surprise me that clubs like Manchester United were being linked with attempts to sign him.
“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, Cheick’s wonderful late goal is one of the iconic moments of Premier League history. I loved him. He’s everything that you want in a Newcastle United player.”
Newcastle’s current manager, Rafael Benítez, also praised Tioté’s character as he continued to work hard in training even though he had rarely played for the first team last season before leaving for Beijing in February. “It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death,” Benítez told the club’s official website. “In the all the time I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and, above all, a great man.”
Tioté was hugely popular at Newcastle’s Benton training base, and the club posted a video of his spectacular goal against Arsenal with the words: “We will never forget you.” His team-mates also took to social media to pay personal tributes, with all praising his attitude and commitment.
The former West Ham and Chelsea striker Demba Ba, who spent a season on Tyneside with Tioté, was one of the first to reveal the tragic news on Twitter, when he wrote: “May Allah grant you jannah brother Tioté.”
Joey Barton also tweeted: “Devastated to hear of Cheick’s death. A wonderful man, who was always laughing or smiling. My heart goes out to his family and friends.”
Newcastle defender Paul Dummett 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.” Details of what happened in China remained vague, with the only official confirmation coming from the player’s agent, Emanuele Palladino.
He said: “It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tioté sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises. We cannot say any more at the moment. ”
‘His goal against Arsenal is an iconic moment in Premier League history’