Fiorentina captain and Italy international Davide Astori has passed away at the age of 31. The defender died following a "sudden illness" according to the Italian Serie A club’s official social media channels.

Astori, who had 14 international caps with Italy, was a member of the squad that played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

"Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died," the club said in a statement. "For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.”

"With much sorrow and sadness, I received the news of Davide Astori's sudden death," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "He was always an exemplary footballer who loved his job, who loved to be a footballer. I join together with the football world in passing on my condolences to his family and his team Fiorentina."

Fiorentina were scheduled to play Udinese on Sunday afternoon, but all Serie A fixtures have been called off.