Bove nears Watford move after cardiac scare that halted his Italian career
Former Roma midfielder Edoardo Bove is close to joining Watford following his collapse during a Fiorentina match last year that required defibrillator implantation.
Italian midfielder who suffered a terrifying on-pitch collapse is set for a career lifeline in English football’s second tier.
From Serie A collapse to Championship chance
Edoardo Bove, the 23-year-old Italian who dramatically collapsed during a match in December 2024, is on the verge of resuming his football career with Championship side Watford. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Bove is close to joining the Hornets on a free transfer after leaving Roma.
The young midfielder, who has represented Italy at U21 level, suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Fiorentina (on loan from Roma) against Inter Milan. Just 17 minutes into the match, Bove collapsed on the pitch, sending shockwaves through the stadium as teammates stood with hands on heads in horror. The match was immediately suspended as medical staff rushed to save his life.
Medical regulations force Italian exit
Bove hasn’t kicked a ball in professional competition since that frightening incident over a year ago. Following the collapse, he was fitted with a defibrillator implant - similar to what former Denmark star Christian Eriksen received after his Euro 2020 scare.
Here’s where things get complicated for the lad:
- Italian football regulations prohibit players with implanted defibrillators from competing in Serie A
- These strict medical protocols effectively ended his playing career in his homeland
- Other European leagues, including England’s, have more flexible approaches to players with such devices
New beginnings at Vicarage Road?
The move to Watford represents a proper second chance for Bove, who clearly hasn’t lost his passion for the beautiful game. Back in March, he expressed how central football remains to his identity, saying: “The idea of not playing football is something inconceivable to me.”
While the deal isn’t quite in the old bag yet, all signs point to Bove getting another opportunity to lace up his boots. If completed, he’ll join a Watford side pushing for promotion back to the Premier League - a fitting stage for what would be a remarkable comeback story.
For a young player who faced the terrifying prospect of his career being over almost before it began, this potential move to English football could be just what the doctor ordered. Literally.