Manchester United Wing-back Patrick Dorgu has paid tribute to his former physio after his sudden death at the age of 38.
Lecce Physio, Graziano Fiorita, was found dead on Thursday prior to the Serie A match on Friday against Atalanta in Bergamo on Friday evening.
Lecce announced the tragic news in a statement on their website, while confirming tomorrow's competition has now been postponed.
The explanation was: 'US Lecce, deeply shocked, announces that Graziano Fiorita has suddenly died. The physiotherapist was with the team at the retreat in Coccaglio.
'The team immediately returns to Lecce, because tomorrow's match against Atalanta will be postponed.
“In the moment of deep pain and total disbelief, in which every word would be superfluous, the club can only collect Carolina, Davide, Nicolò and Riccardo, his mother Francesca and all his relatives around his wife Azzurra and his children.”
Fiorita had served Lecce for 20 years and helped Dorgu to make the breakthrough in the first team prior to his February transfer to Old Trafford.
Dorgu went to Instagram to post a photo of Fiorita on his story next to the message in Italian stating: 'Riposa in Temo Amico Mio' (Rest in Peace My friend).
Atalanta, who had to do with Lecce on Friday, also sent their participation after the death of Fiorita.
“Atalanta BC joins the family and @officialuslecce in the mourning of the sudden death of Graziano Fiorita, physiotherapist at the Salento Club,” said the X Post of the club.
The competition will now have to be moved in the same week that fixtures also had to be changed at the last minute into the aftermath of the death of Pope Francis.
Pope Franciscus died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. Four Serie A games would take place, but they were then moved to Wednesday while the nation grieved for the loss of the pope.