Former Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has died at the age of 30 after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises, a spokesman for the player has said.

Tiote, who only moved to Chinese second division outfit Beijing Enterprises four months ago, was reportedly rushed to hospital on Monday.

Demba Ba, with whom Tiote played during his six-and-a-half-year stay at St James' Park, paid tribute to his former team-mate on Twitter.

He wrote: 'may Allah gives grant you jannah (paradise) brother Tiote'.

Another former colleague, goalkeeper Stephen Harper, wrote: 'Gutted to hear the awful news about my former teammate Cheik Tiote today. Thoughts with his friends and family.'

Jonas Gutierrez posted a photo of Tiote on Instagram and wrote: 'Sad news. Always going to be remember our time together at #nufc RIP my friend.'