Heartwarming second Edoardo Bove returns to Fiorentina to fulfill his team-mates for first time since he collapsed on the pitch in Serie A conflict

Edoardo Bove has made an emotional return to Fiorentina to meet his team-mates for the first time since he collapsed on the pitch during a Serie A match against Inter Milan.

The 22-year-old was rushed to hospital after falling to the floor untouched in the 16th minute of the encounter, which was subsequently abandoned.

Reports in Italy claim that a defibrillator was used to restart Bove’s heart before the footballer was taken to the intensive care unit of the Careggi hospital in Florence. 

Fiorentina’s general manager Alessandro Ferrari confirmed last week that the midfielder’s recovery is progressing well and that he has moved out of intensive care to another unit of the hospital.

‘Edoardo is doing well, he is recovering and we are happy. We have to be patient and have respect for him. He changed [hospital] wards so things are better,’ he told Italian broadcaster Mediaset ahead of Fiorentina’s cup clash with Empoli.

Now footage has emerged of Bove making a tear-jerking entrance at the Serie A side’s training ground as the rest of the players, sitting down ahead of a meeting, clapped him and cheered his arrival.

Edoardo Bove met his Fiorentina team-mates on Saturday for the first time since his collapse

The Italian headed into the training ground just over a week since the incident

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove has left intensive care and is stepping up his recovery 

Several more round of applause break out even after the star has taken his seat in the training ground.

Bove then meets with a few of his Fiorentina team-mates and staff members one-on-one and takes photos with others present in emotional scenes.

The Italian even had an opportunity to pot a few balls on the pool table as he settled back into the camp.

Before a Coppa Italia match last week, which saw Empoli beat Fiorentina 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw between the two sides, staff, players and fans showed their support for Bove in heartfelt scenes at the Artemio Franchi Stadium. 

The spectators produced a tifo display in honour of Bove, colourfully exhibiting a banner with the No 4 – his kit number – while others held scarves aloft to express their support.

Fiorentina’s players held up banners on the pitch ahead of kick-off, with one reading: ‘Now we’ll wait for you.’

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, after arriving at the Careggi hospital in Florence, Bove regained consciousness and doctors assured that his ‘life was not in danger’.

Among the first to arrive at the hospital was captain Cristiano Biraghi. He was joined by Martinez Quarta. 

He shot a few balls on the pool table after taking photos with staff and friends

Bove, 22, was rushed to hospital after collapsing during Fiorentina’s match with Inter on Sunday

Fans showed support for Bove in heartfelt scenes at the Artemio Franchi Stadium on Tuesday

Supporters produced a tifo display in honour of Bove (above), exhibiting a banner with the No 4 

Fiorentina’s players held up banners on the pitch, with one reading: ‘Now we’ll wait for you’

Danilo Cataldi, who was one of the first players to help Bove when he collapsed on the pitch, also visited the hospital. 

Rolando Mandragora, Pietro Terracciano, Luca Ranieri and Dodo were also seen at the hospital – with several other players making their way over to the medical facility to show their support. 

Bove is on loan at Fiorentina from Roma and has made 14 appearances to date. He scored his first goal for his current club against his parent side in October.

An Italy international, Bove has played for his country at every age group up to the Under-21s but is yet to receive a call-up to the senior set-up.