Fiorentina have confirmed the awful news this morning that their captain, Davide Astori, has passed away at the tragically young age of 31.
The club announced that Astori was found dead in his room at the team hotel ahead of La Viola’s Serie A match against Udinese on Sunday.
La Fiorentina profondamente sconvolta si trova costretta a comunicare che e’ scomparso il suo capitano Davide Astori, colto da improvviso malore.
Per la terribile e delicata situazione, e soprattutto per rispetto della sua famiglia si fa appello alla sensibilità di tutti. pic.twitter.com/bFGnkReWEC— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) March 4, 2018
Astori was a rock solid centre-back with 14 Italy caps to his name.
The aforementioned fixture has already been called off, with Cagliari (where Astori spent eight years between 2008-2016) also cancelling their match against Genoa as a mark of respect. It’s likely that more will follow suit.
Terrible. Pies’ thoughts are with his nearest and dearest.
Davide Astori RIP (1987-2018)