LIFE TIME CONTRACT FOR DAVIDE ASTORI?...Hol'up!!!

 Olufunsho Benson

Davide Astori was due to sign a new Fiorentina contract on Monday, before the Italy international, 31, was found dead in his room at the La di Moret hotel in Udine, on Sunday. It has emerged his untimely death due to a "cardiac arrest by natural causes” occurred just 24 hours before he was due to sign an extended contract.
The Club president Andrea Della Valle has revealed tragic defender David Astori will be honored with a new deal, but everything need to be calm at the moment.
Speaking to reporters outside Fiorentina's training ground, Della Valle explained how a meeting for Astori to sign a new contract was moved from last Thursday due to dreadful weather conditions.
"He was going to sign a new contract on Monday, so he could see out his career in Florence," he said.
"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.
"We have to go on and I ask you to understand what our state of mind is right now. The lads must find the strength to react.
"I am proud to have known him. Astori was the first to believe in this reboot for the club and we will always miss him. He was a true captain."
But Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle insists the club will proceed as planned and donate the money in full to Astori's partner Francesca and their two-year-old daughter Vittoria.

Fiorentina and Astori's former club Cagliari have made the collective decision to retire his No.13 jersey.
The tragic news has brought Italian football to its knees and both clubs announced the touching gesture on Tuesday to remember the centre-back.
"To honour the memory and ensure Davide Astori is never forgotten, Fiorentina and Cagliari have decided to join-retire the No.13 shirt," read a Cagliari and Fiorentina statement
"I have to make an important clarification about an alleged renewal of the contract of Astori. It was news without foundation, fake news taken by an agency," he said.
"Fiorentina will certainly do something and support the family, which at this moment deserves respect and silence above all else," he added.
"Fiorentina rightly wants to take the right time to decide what to do."
A statement Fiorentina released on their official website, which read "Only silence and respect to honour the memory of Davide," as the club distanced themselves from the false reports.