Ivory Coast footballer collapses while training for Chinese club
London: Former Ivory Coast and Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote collapsed and died at the age of 30 while training Monday with his Chinese club Beijing Enterprises his agent informed.
Tiote, who made more than 150 appearances in seven seasons at Newcastle, was an African Nations Cup winner with the Ivorians in 2015, although he missed the final through injury, and he also played in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
“It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today (Monday) after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises,” agent Emanuele Palladino told ‘Sky Sports’.
“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,” he added.
There was no comment from his current club but Newcastle issued a statement on their website (www.nufc.co.uk). “We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of Cheick Tiote at the age of just 30,” the newly promoted Premier League club said. “The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Cheick’s family, friends, team mates and everyone connected with the clubs he represented.”
Born in Yamoussoukro, Tiote moved to Belgium as a teenager after being scouted by Anderlecht for whom he made his debut in the Champions League in 2005. The defensive midfielder was sold by Twente to Newcastle for 3.5 million pounds ($4.52 million) in 2010 and cemented his place in club folklore with a long-range equaliser in the 4-4 Premier League draw with Arsenal at St James’ Park in Feb. 2011. He moved to Chinese second-tier side Beijing Enterprises in February.
Tragic death of African footballers
Samuel Okwaraji: Died of congestive heart failure while playing for Nigeria in a World qualifier against Angola in Lagos in 1989
Marc-Vivien Foe: The Cameroon midfielder died while playing a Confederations Cup game against Colombia at Lyon in France in 2003
Chaswe Nsofwa: The Zambian defender died while playing in the Israeli league in 2007
Patrick Ekeng: The Cameroonian player died last year while playing a club game for Dinamo Bucharest
Reuters
