BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A memorial service was held in Beijing on Tuesday for former Cote d'Ivoire midfielder Chieck Tiote, who died in a hospital last week after collapsing during a training session with Beijing Enterprises Group Football Club.
More than 100 people, including Tiote's teammates, officials from the Chinese Football Association and Beijing Football Association, and diplomats of the Cote d'Ivoire Embassy, attended the memorial service at Babaoshan funeral service center in west Beijing.
"Since joining Beijing Enterprise Group FC in Feb, 2017, Mr. Cheik Tiote has made significant contributions to the club. He was much appreciated for his excellent football skills and professionalism. We feel deep sorrow for the loss of Mr. Tiote. His spirit will be an inspiration for us," said Yang Junsheng, general manager of the Beijing Enterprises Group Football Club.
Tiote, who was born on June 21, 1986, began his career in his homeland with Bibo before moving to Anderlecht as a teenager. He also played at Twente in the Netherlands before joining Newcastle in 2010, going on to make more than 150 appearances. Tiote moved from Newcastle in February after nearly seven years at the English Premier League side.
