Rome, 17 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Italian footballer Edoardo Bove has been implanted with a special heart defibrillator after collapsing during a Serie A match this month, meaning his career in Italy could be over.

The operation in a hospital in Florence was successful, newspapers Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport reported on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old had been in hospital for more than a week.

Fiorentina's Bove, on loan from Roma, collapsed on Dec. 1 during the home game against Inter Milan.

It later transpired that Bove had suffered a cardiac arrest. The suspected cause is myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle tissue.

According to the reports, Bove could be discharged from hospital in the next few days. A decision will also be made in the coming months as to whether the defibrillator can be removed again.

The permanent implantation of a defibrillator could have serious consequences for Bove's career as a professional footballer in Italy.

Such devices are not allowed under Serie A regulations.

Christian Eriksen suffered a similar fate three years ago when he was forced to quit Inter and the Italian league after having a permanent defibrillator inserted following a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark.

He moved back to England where the devices are permitted.