FIORENTINA captain and Italy international Davide Astori has died suddenly in his sleep aged 31.
A club statement read: “A profoundly shocked Fiorentina are compelled to announce that their captain Davide Astori, who was struck by an unexpected sudden illness, has passed away.
“For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.”
Dad-of-one Astori passed away ahead of his side’s Serie A game against Udinese. All seven of today’s fixtures in the Italian top flight have been postponed as a mark of respect.
Reports claimed his team-mates broke down his hotel room door when he failed to show for breakfast or answer his phone.
The centre-back had 14 caps for his country after making his debut in 2011 and had enjoyed a professional career spanning 12 years, which also took in the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Some reports suggested the Fiorentina captain had suffered a heart attack although this was not confirmed.
Genoa and Cagliari players were visibly shaken and reportedly in tears upon learning the news during their warm-up for the now postponed early kick-off.
Astori made 174 appearances for Cagliari over the course of eight years, which included loan spells at Roma and Fiorentina.
He started his career at AC Milan in 2006 but did not make a Serie A appearance for the club during his two years there, which also saw him shipped out to Pizzighettone and Cremonese on loan.
- The Sun
