Over 7,000 fans have gathered outside the Santa Croce church in Florence to pay their final respects at the funeral of Fiorentina captain David Astori, after he tragically suffered a cardiac arrest just hours before their game on Sunday.

His Fiorentina and Nezzazzuri teammates joined supporters ahead of the emotional service, which was shrouded in purple flare smoke and chants of 'c'e solo un capitano' (there is only one captain) and Fiorentina's song 'Inno della Fioretina' whilst his coffin was carried out of a Maserati hearse.

Thousands of fans gather in Florence for Davide Astori's funeral pic.twitter.com/LhOqiv5yvf

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 8, 2018

Incredible. The best possible send-off for Davide Astori as fans sing the “inno della Fiorentina” that players run out to on matchday ? pic.twitter.com/rS3AiirfYb

— Chloe Beresford (@ChloeJBeresford) March 8, 2018

A purple wave goes along with Davide Astori while he leaves and gives him the last goodbye pic.twitter.com/HQFAMnqEe7

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) March 8, 2018

This is what Davide Astori meant to the people of Florence and all of Italy.

More than just a captain on the pitch ? pic.twitter.com/TJ0BztRSfi

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 8, 2018