Former Ivorien midfield powerhouse, Cheick Tiote sadly didn't live long enough to see the face of his fourth child that was conceived by his partner before his demise.
Late Cheick Tiote
Cheick Tiote was ‘expecting a baby’ just days after tragic death from heart attack in training with Beijing Enterprises
Tiote, who was aged 30, was rushed to a nearby hospital but doctors were unable to save his life.
And in further tragedy, the Guardian’s Ed Aarons reports that the Ivorian’s wife Madah is due to give birth to his fourth child this week. Tiote had two childen with Madah, his first wife, with whom he lived in the North East during his seven-year spell with Newcastle.
Former lover Nikki Mpofu revealed she was the mother of his third child in 2014. He also married his second wife, Doukrou Laeticia in the Ivory Coast in the same year.
Although having more than one wife is illegal in the UK, it is accepted in Tiote’s homeland. He is understood to have been living alone in China since his transfer in January this year.
The former Twente star joined Newcastle in a £3.5million deal in 2010 and quickly became a favourite amongst supporters.