Cote d’Ivoire midfielder Cheick Tiote has finally completed a move to Chinese football, signing for second division side Beijing Enterprises FC.
Photographs have begun circulating on Twitter on Tuesday morning of the former Newcastle United man being presented with the Beijing club’s flag and posing in the club jersey, although this wasn’t originally the club he’d been expected to be joining.
In recent days, the tenacious midfielder had been heavily expected to complete a move to top-tier side Shandong Luneng, where he’d play alongside the likes of Graziano Pelle and former Magpies striker Papiss Demba Cisse, yet despite reports suggesting that he had completed a medical in Shanghai, he’s ultimately opted for Beijing.
It’s an intriguing move for the 30-year-old, who still has some good years in the tank and clearly appealed to sides in the Chinese top flight before ultimately plumping for a team in the second tier.
The switch brings to an end his seven-year stay on Tyneside with Newcastle, where he made 138 league appearances and scored one goal—a magnificent 25-yard volley to rescue a point against Arsenal in a thrilling 4-4 draw during Alan Pardew’s tenure at the club.
Despite being a key member of the team in the Premier League, Tiote has fallen from grace under current boss Rafael Benitez.
He had made just three senior appearances for the North-East heavyweights this season before his departure, with his last game for the club coming in a FA Cup third-round victory over Birmingham City in January.
Tiote, who was part of the Cote d’Ivoire side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, joined Anderlecht in 2005 and then enjoyed success with FC Twente—winning the Eredivisie title in 2010—before moving to Newcastle in 2010.
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