The deal was formally completed on Thursday morning, bringing an end to the Ivorian midfielder’s six-and-a-half-year Newcastle career.

Arriving from FC Twente in August 2010, Tiote made 156 appearances for the Magpies.

He scored only one goal, but it was a memorable one - the spectacular equaliser in the famous 4-4 comeback against Arsenal in February 2011.

Tiote leaves with the club’s best wishes for the future.