Official: Bove terminates Roma contract and gets ready for Watford

Roma have officially announced that Edoardo Bove has terminated his contract by mutual consent, which means that he is now all set to join EFL Championship side Watford just over a year after suffering a cardiac arrest while on loan with Fiorentina. 

Bove has not played at any level since he collapsed on the pitch early on in Fiorentina’s Serie A match against Inter on December 1, 2024. 

The midfielder suddenly collapsed to the floor and it was later confirmed that his heart had stopped beating. He was rushed to hospital, and later had an implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD) fitted to maintain the rhythm of his heartbeat. 

Under Italian rules, however, athletes are not allowed to participate in professional sport with an internal defibrillator. That means that if Bove wishes to continue his playing career, it will have to be done abroad. 

Under the same rules, Christian Eriksen was forced to leave Inter in 2021 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the EUROs earlier that year. He would eventually join Brentford, then Manchester United and most recently VfL Wolfsburg. 

Bove is now set to join Watford according to reports from various outlets over the last few weeks. The termination of his Roma contract means that he is now able to join the Hornets as a free agent. 

According to updates on Saturday, Bove is set to sign an initial six-month contract at Vicarage Road, but there is already an agreement in place over a potential five-year extension that would run until the summer of 2031. 

“AS Roma announce the mutual termination of the contract with player Edoardo Bove,” a statement on the club website read.

“A product of the Trigoria youth academy, Edoardo made his First Team debut on 9 May 2021 in the Serie A match against Crotone. His rise was steady, earning him increased playing time and trust the following season under José Mourinho. On 19 February 2022, he scored his first goal in the Giallorossi shirt in the 2–2 draw against Hellas Verona.

“On 11 May 2023, he decided the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen with his goal, playing a decisive role in Roma’s progression.

“In total, he made 92 appearances and scored 4 goals for Roma.

“In the summer of 2024, he moved to Fiorentina, where he quickly established himself as one of the Viola’s standout players.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Dan and Ryan Friedkin wish Edoardo all the very best, delighted that he can continue to play and pursue his dream on the pitch.

“Always one of us. Forever a Romanista. Best of luck, Edoardo!”