Tributes will be paid to the powerhouse midfielder in Beijing on Tuesday, with many of the player's past and present team-mates expected to be in attendance. Fellow Ivorians Papiss Cisse and Gervinho, both of whom are currently playing in China, will be present. According to a family statement Tioté's body will be flown back to his native Ivory Coast following the service.
Tioté will certainly never be forgotton on Tyneside with many describing his spectacular left-footed volley against Arsenal to cap a pulsating 4-4 draw as one of the greatest Premier League moments. An online petition is currently circulating requesting that Newcastle retire the midfielder's number 24 shirt in tribute.