The defensive midfielder reportedly collapsed from a heart attack while training with his club, Chinese second tier side Beijing Enterprises, on Monday morning. He died at the hospital where he was rushed to.

Tiote was capped 52 times with the Ivorian national team, winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

He played at Anderlecht, Roda JC, FC Twente and recently, Newcastle United - where he spent seven years before moving to China.

He was born on June 21, 1986 in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

He was a devout Muslim.

He left behind two children with his first wife Madah, and another with Laeticia Doukrou.

Tiote won league titles at Anderlecht and FC Twente.