Mourning declared

Astori scored his only international goal in the 2013 Confederations Cup third-place playoff against Uruguay, giving Italy a first-half lead in a match that ended 2-2. Italy went on to win on penalties.

"A man who loved football and who grew up as footballer with us. #ACMilan is shocked by the passing of Davide#Astori. It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to his family and close ones and to ACF Fiorentina," tweeted Milan, Astori's formative club.

Roma's Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who played with Astori at two clubs, posted a photo of the two of them celebrating a goal at Cagliari.

"A great player, but an even bigger man, so many battles fought together in Cagliari before coming to Rome, I cannot believe it," he wrote.

Italy, which failed to qualify for this summer's World Cup in Russia, is due to face England in a friendly at Wembley later this month.

The Football Association tweeted it will honor Astori at the game.

Matteo Renzi, a former mayor of Florence and now leader of the Democrat Party in Sunday's Italian election, tweeted: "This seems to me impossible. I don't believe it and I cry with the family and everyone at Fiorentina. Ciao capitano."

Dario Nardella, the current mayor of Florence, said the city would observe a day of mourning for the player's funeral, which was still being arranged.

Agence France-presse