Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote joins Chinese second division side Beijing Enterprises on two-year deal
Ivorian was expected to sign for Shandong Luneng but ended up in capital instead in surprise move
CHEICK TIOTE has joined Chinese second division outfit Beijing Enterprises in a shock move.
Shandong Luneng were expected to sign the Ivory Coast midfielder from Newcastle.
But Beijing appear to have beaten the Chinese Super League side to Tiote's signature.
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The club did not release any details about the transfer but it is believed the 30-year-old has signed a two-year contract.
Being will hope their big-name arrival - who had been linked with a number of clubs - can help fire their promotion bid.
Newcastle - who sit top of the Championship table - thanked fans for staying loyal despite their relegation by announcing a price freeze today.
Managing director Lee Charnley said: “The support from our fans this season has been nothing short of amazing.
"They have flocked to St. James’ Park to support Rafa and the team, in the quest to see us returned to the Premier League.
"We wanted to help repay their incredible loyalty with a price freeze for all existing season ticket holders, meaning the price they’ll pay in 2017/18 will be exactly the same as the price they paid for their 2016/17 season ticket."