Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote died on Monday after collapsing during training with his club Beijing Enterprises. He was 30.
His agent, Emanuele Palladino, confirmed to Sky Sports that his client had died. Beijing Enterprises then confirmed the news on Weibo.
Tiote only moved to China in February after signing with the second-division club from Newcastle United.
The defensive midfielder spent five-and-a-half seasons on Tyneside, making over 150 appearances. He previously played for Anderlecht in Belgium and Dutch club Twente.
His former teammates expressed condolences on social media as word of his death spread.