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Cheick Tiote is heading to China after agreeing an £8million move to Shanghai Shenhua.

The Chinese side have had an offer accepted by Newcastle, and agreed a three-year deal with midfielder Tiote.

The 29 year-old is due to travel to the Far East next week to undergo his medical and complete his transfer.

Toon boss Steve McClaren was keen to keep hold of Tiote, with second-bottom Newcastle in a battle to stay up.

But there was also an acceptance the deal is a good one for the club and the player, who will be paid around £70,000-a-week — £10k more than he's on at the Magpies.

In pictures — Newcastle 3-3 Manchester United:

Newcastle have also made a significant profit on the Ivory Coast international.

They signed him for £3.5m from FC Twente, where he won the Dutch title under McClaren, in August 2010.

He will link up with his former St James' Park teammate Demba Ba when he joins the Chinese Premier League side.

McClaren has already bolstered his midfield options ahead of Tiote's departure by bringing in Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea for £12m and Henri Saivet from Bordeaux for £4.5m.

They are also in the market for a striker and a left-back this month.

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