It was an emotional day as thousands of mourners and some big names of Italian football gave their final respects on Thursday to Fiorentina player Davide Astori, whose died suddenly at the age of 31.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and his Juventus team-mate Giorgio Chiellini were among the players who were in attendance during the funeral in Florence to grieve the demise of the defender who captained his club and played 14 times for his country.

Many emotional supporters lined up outside the Basilica di Santa Croce with one banner in the crowd reading “Ciao captain”, another “Our captain forever” along with purple smoke from flares to match the colour of Fiorentina’s shirts.

Supporters applauded as Astori’s coffin was carried to its final resting place as children wearing Fiorentina tracksuits formed a guard of honour.