Newcastle United have been boosted by the news that combative midfielder Cheick Tiote wants to continue playing for the club.
Tiote has become one of the Premier League s most sought-after players since arriving from Eredivisie outfit FC Twente in 2010, attracting reported interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
Despite having a long list of suitors, the Ivory Coast international has no intention of following in the footsteps of Yohan Cabaye, who departed for Paris Saint-Germain during the January transfer window.
Newcastle is like a family, Tiote said in an interview with UK newspaper Metro.
I ve been here four years and love playing for the club, it s the best thing I have ever done in my career and I hope I continue to give my best for the club.
It s the sort of place you like to stay. It s much different to any other club, we know the fans are 200 per cent behind us but sometimes we have bad games.
When I stop playing, I will be able to tell my children I played at St James Park in front of 50,000 in that great atmosphere.
Tiote s comments will delight Newcastle fans after defender Mathieu Debuchy recently revealed his admiration for Ligue 1 champions PSG.
The French international said he will weigh up his future following the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
