Defender who is best remembered for his years as a member of Cagliari Calcio, ACF Fiorentina and the Italian men's national team. He was found dead from cardiac arrest in his hotel room in Udine, Italy in March 2018.
He was raised in the Italian province of Bergamo. He played for Pontisola before joining AC Milan's youth squad in 2001.
At the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, he became the first Cagliari player to score an international goal in 40 years.
He is survived by his longtime partner Francesca Fioretti and their daughter, Vittoria.
His death inspired public tributes from fellow soccer players like Borja Valero.
