Bove in ‘good condition’ for comeback with Watford

Italian midfielder Edoardo Bove says he is “not scared” of making a return to football with Watford after his on-pitch cardiac arrest.

The 23-year-old has moved to Vicarage Road on a long-term contract because he could not play in his homeland after having a cardiac defibrillator fitted.

Bove collapsed during a game for Fiorentina against Inter Milan in December 2024.

“I’m not here [just] because in England you can play even when you have a disease,” Bove told BBC Three Counties Radio.

“I did a lot of tests and I am happy to be here and to play again. It’s not a second choice. It’s a challenge I wanted to take.

“I’m not scared because my event happened at a perfect age. I wasn’t too young to not understand the kind of problem and I wasn’t too old to have fear of something.

“I’m a very rational person. I heard a lot of different doctors and we arrived at the conclusion that I am in good condition and can play without problems.”

Bove’s condition is similar to that of Denmark and former Manchester United and Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen and Wales defender Tom Lockyer, who both collapsed during games but subsequently returned to action.

“I spoke with Christian, a few messages (…) but I’m really confident with my body. I understand it’s part of me now,” he said.

Despite what he calls “the machine inside”, Bove said he is taking the challenge of trying to help the club regain a place in the Premier League “very seriously”.

His contract will run until the summer of 2031 and the club hope he could be ready to play in four to six weeks if all goes well.

“It’s very difficult to put a time on it,” he said.

“It’s something the medical and technical staff decide. I’ll have to be really honest with them and tell them how I feel. I used to train alone a lot so I started to know and understand my body, my feelings, my muscles.

“We are working together to get me on the pitch as soon as possible but without letting me get an injury – that is the most important thing. I am a guy who pushes to come back really quick but we have to figure out the best way to do it.”

Bove began his career with Roma and scored three goals in 65 Serie A appearances for them prior to being loaned to Fiorentina in the summer of 2024.

He watched Watford’s 1-1 draw with Portsmouth on 21 January said it was really good to be part of a team environment again.

“I saw it’s a physical game [in England] but I already knew it. The stadium is unbelievable, even better than some stadiums in Italy.

“Championship football is a really good league. It’s really competitive every game and you have to work [to win] even with the last teams from the table.”

He added: “I like to be aggressive. I think I can play both attacking and defending midfield. It depends what the coach wants from me.

“I want to stay here, enjoy football again and chase our goals.