Sky Sports report Cheick Tiote deal agreed and Medical now
Sky Sports say that Cheick Tiote is now carrying out the final act of leaving Newcastle United.
The midfielder is now in China having a medical for Shandong Luneng according to the broadcaster’s ‘sources’.
A two year deal and personal terms have already been agreed according to previous reports, although no mention of any fee for Newcastle United – with the club said to be simply happy to get him off the wage bill.
Assuming the medical goes through without a hitch, Cheick Tiote will join former Newcastle teammate Papiss Cisse, as well as one-time Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
In six and a half years, Tiote only started 129 league matches and scored that solitary Premier League goal against Arsenal.
A bit like that 2011/12 season in general, Cheick Tiote looked a class act for a period of time, especially when partnered with the more creative Yohan Cabaye.
However, difficult to see many positives in recent seasons as injuries, lack of fitness and mostly poor form have been the order of the day.
Only 15 minutes of Championship action this season when looking way off the pace against Aston Villa, plus two very poor FA Cup run outs against Birmingham.
The combative midfielder will also now not be able to add to the phenomenal 52 yellows (and 1 red) that he picked up in those 129 league starts (plus 10 as a sub).
Cheick Tiote turns 31 in June and will have to wait until early March for when Chinese league football kicks off again.
In case anybody was wondering, it is the country where the player is heading to where the transfer window dates are applicable, so with the Chinese window open until later this month there is no problem with Tiote making the move.
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