Fiorentina will rename the club's training ground after ex-captain Davide Astori

Defender Astori died from a cardiac arrest at the age of 31 earlier this month

Fiorentina president Mario Cognigni described Astori as a 'special person'

Cognigni revealed that Fiorentina will now train at Centro Sportivo Davide Astori

Fiorentina president Mario Cognigni has announced plans to rename the club's training ground after Davide Astori.

Centre back Astori, who was Fiorentina's captain, died in his sleep earlier this month at the age of 31 following a cardiac arrest.

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The club retired his No 13 shirt and will now train at Centro Sportivo Davide Astori, but Cognigni has promised even more initiatives to honour the ex-skipper.

Davide Astori (front, centre), pictured on February 25, died of a cardiac arrest on March 4

Fans paid a colourful tribute to Astori at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence a week later

President Mario Cognigni (right) has now confirmed plans to rename the club's training ground

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'It has been a difficult week, I want to thank all those who have shown affection for us,' Cognigni told Premium Sport.

'We will dedicate our sports centre to Davide because it was his home, it will be called Centro Sportivo Davide Astori and it is only the first initiative that will keep alive the memory of a special person.'

Astori, who was laid to rest at a funeral attended by thousands of football supporters, joined Fiorentina from Roma in 2015, initially on loan.

He played 91 Serie A games for the Viola, having spent much of his earlier career at Cagliari after coming through AC Milan's junior ranks.

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Cognigni broke the news of Fiorentina renaming their training ground on Sunday before the team won 2-1 away at Torino.

Thousands of football supporters attended Astori's funeral ceremony in Florence on March 8

Fans lined the streets holding up shirts and scarfs to create a sea of purple in honour of Astori