Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Sunday, February 15, 2026, 12:16 / Updated Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:16
Edoardo Bove (23 years old), the footballer who experienced a shock in December 2024, ticked off the first minutes after 440 days of absence in Preston – Watford 2-2, round #22 of the Championship.
The Italian, who was playing at Fiorentina at the time on loan from AS Roma, was revived during a match against Inter in Serie A in December 2024. The footballer stood up but fell again after a few steps. He was placed in an induced coma but survived the horrific events and was fitted with a pacemaker. Bove signed for Watford in the winter transfer window after terminating his contract with the Italian capital.
Edoardo Bove ticked off the first minutes after 440 days of absence
Edoardo Bove was thrown into the fray by Edward Still in the 86th minute of the clash at Preston's home ground. It didn't have a major impact on the game, but given the toll the 23-year-old has been through, it's important that he was able to play.
In all the days of absence, Edoardo Bove prepared individually to return to the field. The transfer to the Championship came following clarifications from the Italian Sports Law. According to the regulations, players who have fitted a pacemaker cannot play in Serie A, while in the Championship it is allowed. It is his first football adventure outside Italy.
Edoardo Bove trained at the AS Roma academy, for which he made the step to the seniors in 2021. After 3 years at the capitolini, he was loaned to Fiorentina to get minutes. This winter he signed with Watford.
The central midfielder has the most matches in his career for AS Roma: 92, 4 goals scored and 2 assists. It is quoted by specialized websites at 5 million euros.
