Edoardo Bove plays again for Watford 14 months after cardiac arrest | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Edoardo Bove made his first competitive appearance since suffering a cardiac arrest in December 2024, featuring for Watford in a 2-2 draw with Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday.

The Italian midfielder came on in the 86th minute as Watford saw out the draw.

He expressed gratitude to the staff and the club for the chance, and was happy to be there. He described how, early on, he avoided football altogether, and that even watching children play made him angry. He added that support from around the world helped him reach this point and he offered thanks.

Bove collapsed during a Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter Milan 14 months ago, and the game was abandoned.

Following the implantation of a cardiac defibrillator, Italian regulations prevented him from continuing his career domestically. Out of contract, he joined Watford at the end of January to relaunch his career.

Source: L'Équipe