By CGTN's Wang Meng

Former Newcastle midfielder Chieck Tiote died after collapsing during training with Chinese League One club Beijing Enterprises on Monday. The Cote d'Ivoire player made more than 100 appearances for the Premier League side before making the move to China in February. He was 30-years-old. 

Since the announcement, tributes have been pouring in, with former Magpies coach Steve McClaren saying, "He was the kind of player that everyone wanted on their team." 

Another ex-boss of the North-East side, Alan Pardew, who signed Tiote in 2010, claimed, "he was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field defied belief." 

Tiote represented his country at the 2014 World Cup and in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments including the 2015 edition where Cote' d'Ivoire clinched the title for the second time.

CGTN Photo

At the time of the death, the club was in for light training on Monday and had played on Sunday. At around 6 p.m., Tiote suddenly fell to the ground and underwent CPR from the team doctor before heading to hospital where he was announced dead on arrival.

The 30-year-old played a lot of football in his young life, and appeared for clubs throughout Europe before coming to China. 

As a member of Belgian side Anderlecht between 2005-2008, he won two league titles and a Belgian Super Cup before moving to the Netherlands, where he played for FC Twente and helped them win a league and Super Cup crown. In 2010 Tiote moved to Newcastle in the English Premier League and went on to make 139 appearances. On the International front he earned 52 caps for his country which included being part of the 2015 African Cup of Nations title winning side.