Topics: Serie A, Fiorentina, Udinese, Davide Astori
Speculative reports suggest the Viola has tied down its late captain Davide Astori to a lifetime deal.

The world of football was thrown into deep grief and a state of mourning on Sunday morning after news of Davide Astori’s passing emerged. The 31-year-old defender was believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest while asleep in his hotel room the night before his side ’s game versus Udinese.

Since then, tributes have been pouring in from all over the world for the former Italian international who has left behind a wife and a two-weeks-old daughter. On Monday, president of the Florence club, Andrea Della Valle, revealed that Astori was due to sign a new contract which would have seen him end his career with the Violets. 

"He was going to sign a new contract on Monday, so he could see out his career in Florence," he said according to Goal.

"It was originally meant to be on Thursday, but we postponed it because of all the chaos caused by the bad weather. I am still in shock.

"He was a reference point for the whole team. We talked for a good half an hour after the Bologna game [a 2-1 win on February 4] and he was telling me all about the project and the new lads. It was like he was already a coach or a sporting director." 

Latest reports initially indicated that the deceased player’s wish has been granted as Fiorentina has awarded him with a lifetime deal with all the proceeds expected to go to his wife and daughter. However, investigations have revealed that there is no such deal in place - for now. 

According to ESPN’s Alex Shaw, the whole whoopla took off through a tweet sent by a fan who believes the late player’s family should merit such a gesture from Fiorentina. Having gained over 4,000 retweets, the tweet was deleted by this anonymous fellow. Yet, his narrative was carried by the mainstream media and other top accounts on the social media platform, although no official word has come from the Fiorentina camp. 

The club has, however, confirmed on its official Twitter page that Astori’s autopsy has been completed and his body will be returned to Florence on Wednesday with his funeral scheduled for Thursday at the Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence.