Davide Astori dead at 31: Fiorentina captain and Italy international dies in his sleep before Udinese game

Fiorentina have announced that captain Davide Astori has died at the age of 31.

The Italian international, with 14 caps to his name, was found dead at the La di Moret hotel in Udine, ahead of the Viola’s meeting with Udinese on Sunday.

The clash at the Stadio Friuli and all of today’s Serie A matches have subsequently been cancelled.

A club statement released by Fiorentina read: “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.”

“The boy did not show up for the team’s breakfast at 9:30,” accounted the club’s press officer Arturo Mastronardi. “Usually he was the one who showed up first.

“The causes of the incident are not yet known. The magistrate came here and the body was taken to the hospital for the autopsy, that I believe will be done in the day. We have no further details.”

Astori, who started his career at AC Milan, enjoyed a 12-year career in Serie A.

He spent six years with Cagliari, making 174 appearances for the Sardinians. In 2014 he joined Roma on loan, before joining Fiorentina the following year.

He was made captain for La Viola by Stefano Pioli earlier this season and had made 27 appearances during the current campaign, scoring once. Astori had recently been in talks with the club over a new contract.

In all he made 262 appearances in Serie A, scoring six goals.

He made his Italy debut against Ukraine in March 2011, being sent off in Kiev, but would win 14 caps for the Azzurri, scoring once – against Uruguay in the Confederations Cup third place playoff in 2013.

Astori leaves behind his partner, Francesca Fioretti, and a two-year-old daughter, Vittoria.