Davide Astori dead aged 31: Serie A call-off all matches on Sunday, including Milan derby, as the Fiorentina captain tragically dies in his sleep

SERIE A have called-off all games on Sunday after Fiorentina captain Davide Astori died in his sleep.

The club confirmed their skipper had passed away in the night, leaving Italy shell-shocked at the news.

4

The Viola released a statement which 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."

In light of the tragic news, all seven of Sunday's Serie A games have been postponed, including this evening's massive Milan derby.

Dad-of-one Astori passed away on the eve of his side's trip to face Udinese in Serie A.

4

4

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.

Some reports suggested Astori had suffered a heart attack.

FOOTBALL TRAGEDY Davide Astori dies in his sleep, aged just 31, before Udinese vs Fiorentina game

Udine Today claimed the player failed to wake up at the La di Moret hotel this morning.

Astori made 174 appearances for Cagliari over the course of eight years, which included loan spells at Roma and Fiorentina.

MORE FOOTBALL FEATURES

ACADEMY AWARD

Everton owner Dan Friedkin is worth £6bn and landed a WW2 jet as stuntman

ROY'S RAGE

Things that make Roy Keane angry, from ABBA to prawn sandwiches

DUTCH MASTERS?

How Dutch managers rate in Premier League from Ruud Gullit to Erik ten Hag

LEW BEAUTY

Spurs billionaire Joe Lewis lives on £195m yacht and is pals with Tiger Woods

4

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.

Astori joined Fiorentina in 2016.

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