Former Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu is 'deeply saddened' by the death of Fiorentina skipper Davide Astori.

The Udinese midfielder who is on loan at Turkish side Bursaspor posted a message of condolence on his Twitter account indicating his mood on the shocking departure of the Italy international.

''I’m deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Davide Astori. My thoughts are with his family at this time. Rest in peace champ ????????'' Badu said.

Astori, 31, died following a "sudden illness", his club confirmed on their official Twitter feed.

Fiorentina were scheduled to play Udinese in Serie A on Sunday afternoon but the game and all other Serie A fixtures were called off.

Astori, capped 14 times by Italy, joined Fiorentina in 2016 from Cagliari and had made 58 appearances for them.