Italian International Davide Astori Dies Aged 31

Fiorentina confirmed on Sunday morning that captain Davide Astori has passed away at the age of just 31.

A statement from the Serie A club reads:

Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died.

For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.

According to reports in the Italian media, Astori was found dead in his hotel room.

An Italian international, Astori won 14 caps for his country. Just a fortnight ago, he became a father.

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's career began with AC Milan but blossomed at Cagliari. He moved to Fiorentina three years ago.

Fiorentina were due to play Udinese on Sunday afternoon but the game has been postponed, as have the rest of today's Serie A fixtures.

Several figures from within the game, along with numerous clubs, have paid tribute to Astori.

Ciao caro Asto, difficilmente ho espresso pubblicamente un pensiero riguardo una persona, perché ho sempre lasciato che la bellezza e l'unicità di rapporti, di reciproca stima e affetto, non venissero strumentalizzati o gettati in pasto a chi non ha la delicatezza per rispettare certi legami. Nel tuo caso, sento di fare un'eccezione alla mia regola, perché hai una moglie giovane e dei familiari che staranno soffrendo,ma soprattutto la tua piccola bimba, merita di sapere che il suo papà era a tutti gli effetti una PERSONA PERBENE.....una GRANDE PERSONA PERBENE....eri l'espressione migliore di un mondo antico, superato, nel quale valori come l'altruismo, l'eleganza, l'educazione e il rispetto verso il prossimo, la facevano da padroni. Complimenti davvero, sei stata una delle migliori figure sportive nella quale mi sono imbattuto. R.I.P. Il tuo folle Gigi.

A post shared by Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) on Mar 4, 2018 at 4:41am PST

Scioccato, incredulo e senza parole per questa tragedia. Sono vicino alla famiglia e agli amici di Davide #Astori.

— Francesco Totti (@Totti) March 4, 2018

Senza parole.. alla fine se ne vanno sempre i migliori... buon viaggio amico mio. RIP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BHwH5abZZ6

— Andrea Pirlo (@Pirlo_official) March 4, 2018

Senza parole. Riposa in pace Davide Astori pic.twitter.com/mukSojB45l

— Paulo Dybala (@PauDybala_JR) March 4, 2018

Rest in peace Davide 🙏🏻 #rip #astori pic.twitter.com/rE02EJj1hU

— Fabio Cannavaro (@fabiocannavaro) March 4, 2018

The club is devastated to learn of the death of Davide Astori. The thoughts of everyone at AS Roma are with the player's family, friends and teammates at this terrible and tragic time. pic.twitter.com/vDlL4LIkJr

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) March 4, 2018

A man who loved football and who grew up as footballer with us. #ACMilan are shocked by the passing of Davide #Astori. It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to his family and closed ones and to ACF Fiorentina

— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 4, 2018

On this day of tragedy, Juventus expresses its deepest condolences to Davide Astori’s family and Fiorentina.

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 4, 2018

Incredibly sad news.
My thoughts are with the family, friends and all at @acffiorentina
Rest in peace Davide#Astori pic.twitter.com/UBXs2LJKlT

— Edin Džeko (@EdDzeko) March 4, 2018

The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with the family of @acffiorentina captain Davide Astori following the very sad news of his death. pic.twitter.com/obOv8nqXrM

— Everton (@Everton) March 4, 2018

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing all too early of Davide Astori. The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with his friends and family at this extremely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/RSX2ra91So

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 4, 2018

We’re saddened by the passing of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori. Our condolences are with his friends and family.

RIP Davide. pic.twitter.com/AlIqBNoSJ6

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 4, 2018

Picture: Shutterstock.com