Cheick Tiote has left the club for Chinese second division club Beijing enterprises, Newcastle United have confirmed. Tiote had a six and half year stay at the club.
Tiote hasn’t had too many chances this season as he appeared just three times this season. The Ivorian midfielder was brilliant in his first two seasons with the Magpies but lost his touch afterwards. His brilliance in the midfield had garnered a lot of interest among clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal at the time.
Having arrived at the club for a fee of £3.5m in 2010, the midfielder inspired the Toons to finish in fifth in the 2011-12 League campaign under Alan Pardew. Newcastle United released a statement regarding his transfer, “The club can now confirm that Cheick Tiote has joined Chinese second-tier side Beijing Enterprises for an undisclosed fee.
“The deal was formally completed on Thursday morning.
“He scored only one goal, but it was a memorable one – the spectacular equaliser in the famous 4-4 comeback against Arsenal in February 2011.
“Tiote leaves with the club’s best wishes for the future.”
News of him leaving the club has been hovering for quite a while as Shandong Luneng and a host of Premier League clubs were being linked. The 30-year-old midfielder has four months left on his contract and has been trying to secure a permanent deal at St James Park.
Rafa Benitez blocked his move earlier as he wanted an alternative option after injuries to Isaac Hayden and Vurnon Anita. Hayden was forced off after sustaining an injury against Derby County but is expected to be fit for the crunch game against Wolves.
If reports are to be believed, Newcastle have pocketed over £1m after selling the midfielder. The Ivorian made over 150 appearances for the Magpies and was even in Ivory Coast’s squad that won the 2015 AFCON.
