Fiorentina captain Davide Astori is dead
Davide Astori dead at 31: Fiorentina captain and Italy international dies in his sleep before Udinese clash
The dad-of-one was found in a hotel room by a massage therapist this morning after he did not turn up for breakfast or answer his phone.
It is believed Astori died of “cardio-circulatory arrest due to natural causes” but that he showed “no warning signs” of having any illness, said Udine prosecutor Antonio De Nicolo.
Club spokesman Arturo Mastronardi said: “The lad did not turn up to the team breakfast at 9.30am and he was usually the first to arrive.
“So they went to check on him. Davide was sleeping in a room on his own. The body has been taken for an autopsy, which I think will be conducted today.”
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.