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

FIORENTINA captain and Italy international Davide Astori has died suddenly in his sleep aged 31.

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.

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It is believed Astori died of "cardio-circulatory arrest due to natural causes" - a type of heart attack - 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.

DAVIDE ASTORI - WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

• • Astori travelled with Fiorentina squad on Saturday ahead of Serie A clash with Udinese
  • When club captain did not arrive at team breakfast at 9.30am, team-mates broke down hotel room door to find Astori dead
  • Astori died of natural causes, aged 31, in his sleep - with no warning signs
  • He leaves behind long-term girlfriend Francesca Fioretti and their two-year-old daughter Vittoria
  • Pictures showed Genoa players distraught as they were told news ahead of Serie A's 12.30 kick-off on Sunday
  • Serie A subsequently announced all league fixtures on Sunday were postponed
  • Italian football legends Francesco Totti and Gianluigi Buffon lead emotional tributes
  • Both Fiorentina and former club Cagliari retired their No13 shirts in Astori's honour
  • Astori was set to sign a new four-year contract with Fiorentina on Monday.

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

Astori, who was born in the province of Bergamo, 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.

DAVIDE'S STORI Who was Davide Astori and how did he die?

Reports had initially 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.

Who was Davide Astori?

Davide Astori was born in Bergamo and played for local team Pontisola before joining AC Milan in 2006.

Two years later he moved to Cagliari – the club where he would make his name.

The centre-back would go on to make 174 appearances in Sardinia, and earn his first Italy cap against Ukraine in 2011.

A year later, out of loyalty to Cagliari, he turned down a bumper £12m move to Spartak Moscow.

Around the same time, he was scouted as a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic by then-Manchester United boss David Moyes.

In 2014, Astori agreed a season-long loan to Roma for £1.8m and the Giallorossi paid a further £4.5m to make the deal permanent.

But a day before the transfer was set to go through, he instead agreed a new contract with Cagliari.

A loan to current club Fiorentina was then agreed with an obligation to buy.

Astori went on to make 78 appearances for the club before his untimely death in March, 2018.

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Some reports suggested Astori had suffered a heart attack. Udine Today claimed the player failed to wake up at the La di Moret hotel this morning.

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.

ITALY IN SHOCK Serie A call off all games after Davide Astori dies in his sleep

Astori joined Fiorentina in 2016.

He leaves behind long-term girlfriend Francesca Fioretti and their two-year-old daughter Vittoria.

His former club Roma tweeted: "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 team-mates at this terrible and tragic time."

A tweet from Juventus' official account read: "On this day of tragedy, Juventus expresses its deepest condolences to Davide Astori's family and Fiorentina."

Udinese posted from their Twitter: "Udinese Calcio is deeply affected by the tragic and sudden death of AFC Fiorentina's captain Davide Astori.

"We gather around the family, friends, teammates and AFC Fiorentina right now, to all of them our deepest condolences."

A message posted from AC Milan's page read: "A man who loved football and who grew up as footballer with us. AC Milan are shocked by the passing of Davide Astori.

"It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to his family and close ones and to ACF Fiorentina."

Serie A's official account tweeted: "Shocked by the tragic news, the whole family of the league Serie A huddles around the family of Davide Astori and Fiorentina.

"All the games scheduled today are postponed as a sign of mourning."