Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano – a former Fiorentina teammate of Davide Astori – has posted a touching tribute.

The defender died in his sleep aged 31 in the team hotel awaiting their Serie A match against Udinese.

“I waited, hoping someone would tell me this was a prank…” wrote Viviano on Instagram.

Sampdoria goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano – a former Fiorentina teammate of Davide Astori – has posted a touching tribute.

The defender died in his sleep aged 31 in the team hotel awaiting their Serie A match against Udinese.

“I waited, hoping someone would tell me this was a prank…” wrote Viviano on Instagram.

“I can’t believe and I don’t want to believe it. I don’t know where we could find the reasons for this. I know who you were, what you were and what you leave us… a void, an enormous void for the man, the Daddy, the husband and for having been my captain.

“At times we think that we’re immortal, but we are not. I think of you and your little girl, who will grow up and know from all of us and my city what a great man her Daddy was!

“Bon voyage Davide, we’ll meet again up there…”

It has now been confirmed that Fiorentina will donate the remaining Astori salary to his partner and their two-year-old daughter Vittoria.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *