Atalanta footballer Andrea Rinaldi has died aged 19 after suffering a brain aneurysm, the Serie A club have announced.
The midfielder, who was on loan at Serie D side Legnano this season, came through the youth system with the Bergamo-based side.
They confirmed the news on Monday afternoon with a statement and paid tribute to him as a player and a man.
“Always available and positive, he knew how to make himself well-liked by everyone,” it read. ”Just as on the pitch you were always the last to surrender, this time too you fought with all your might not to fly away too soon.
“President Antonio Percassi and the whole Atalanta family, deeply moved, send their most heartfelt sympathy to Andrea Rinaldi’s family members and AC Legnano for his passing.”
Legnano president Giovanni Munafo added: “When Andrea came to training, he came first to greet me. This is a memory I will carry in my heart.
“An extraordinary boy, an example for everyone. On behalf of the club, I express my deepest condolences to the family.
“We are sure that Andrea, from up there, will be the usual warrior of all time, who fought in the middle of the pitch to bring the Legnano fans joy.”
Rinaldi joined Atalanta when he was 13 and went on to win the Under-17 league title and Super Cup in 2016.
