A former Newcastle United midfielder, Cheick Tiote, has been reported dead at the age of 30.
The player who moved to the Chinese second division team, Beijing Enterprises four months ago was reported to have died during training after collapsing on the field in China.
Tiote was reportedly rushed to hospital on Monday after his collapse on the field but was confirmed dead.
Confirming the demise of the Ivorian footballer, his agent, Emanuele Palladino, in a death statement said: “I can confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away today after collapsing in training with his club Beiojing Enterprises.”
Tiote before his death had played for several football clubs including Anderlecht of Belgium where he kick started his career and a loan spell period with Roda JC from where he moved to FC Twente in the Netherlands.
Tiote moved to the Premier League side, Newcastle in 2010 and made over 150 appearances for the football club before leaving for China at the start of the 2016-17 campaign.
Before his death, the Ivorian footballer had made a total of 17 appearances for the Beijing Enterprises.
A former team mate, Demba Ba tweeted his respect as he wrote on his social media page: “May Allah gives grant you jannah brother Tiote.”
Jonas Gutierrez followed suit with: “Very said to hear about the pass away of Tiote. RIP my friend. #nufc.”