Davide Astori’s No 13 shirt retired by Fiorentina and Cagliari following the Italian defender’s tragic death
FIORENTINA have announced they and Cagliari will retire Davide Astori's No13 shirt.
The Italian defender tragically passed away before La Viola were due to play Udinese, and his death saw every Serie A match postponed.
News of Astori's passing at the age of just 31 was met with outpouring of grief from the world of football.
And Fioretina, who the defender had been captain of, and another of his former clubs in Cagliari have decided to honour him by retiring his shirt number.
Italian football was rocked by the news, and Cagliari have changed their Twitter handle to: "Ciao Davide".
Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo were among his former international team-mates who posted touching tributes to the Italian defender.
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The city of Florence remains in mourning, with fans leaving scarves outside the Artemio Franchi, with a banner which simply reads: "Ciao capitano".
Fiorentina have decided to honour the four-year contract he was due to sign, with the wages paid to his partner and daughter.
AN UNFINISHED STORY Davide Astori dead aged 31: Fiorentina captain and former Italy and Cagliari defender – remembered fondly after dying suddenly in his sleep
Astori started his career at AC Milan, before moving to Cagliari and Roma on loan and going on to become Fiorentina captain.
The centre-back was part of Italy's 2013 Confederations Cup squad, netting against Uruguay in the third-place play-off.