Eduardo Beauvais is close to officially completing his move to Watford and will reunite with his close friend and current Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiore once the deal is completed. Here’s a look back at their friendship and Calafiore’s role in Beauvais’ move to England.
According to multiple reports in Italy and the UK, Bove will undergo a medical at Watford on Monday before moving to Vicarage Road on a free transfer.
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Beauvais recently terminated his contract with his boyhood club Roma because he is currently unable to play for them under Italian law.
Just over a year ago, in early December 2024, Beauvais was on loan to the Viola from Roma and fell ill during the Serie A match between Florence and Inter Milan.
epa11752149 Players and staff block the view of Fiorentina player Eduardo Beauvais receiving medical treatment during the Italian Serie A football match between ACF Fiorentina and Inter Milan on December 1, 2024 in Florence, Italy. Fiorentina’s Eduardo Beauvais suffered a serious injury 16 minutes into the game and the game was called off. EPA-EFE/Claudio Giovannini
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It was later confirmed that his heart had stopped, causing him to collapse on the pitch. He was rushed to hospital, where a defibrillator was installed to monitor and regulate his heartbeat. However, under current rules this prevents him from playing professionally in Italy.
However, having a defibrillator does not prevent Beauvais from playing in England. This is similar to the situation when Christian Eriksen left Inter Milan after suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 and subsequently joined Brentford in the Premier League.
Why Watford makes sense for Bovey
ACF Fiorentina’s Edoardo Bove watches the Serie A match between Empoli and Fiorentina at the Carlo Castellani Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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Watford have been owned by Italy since Giampaolo Pozzo took over from Laurence Bassini in 2012. In 2014, ownership of the club was transferred to Pozzo’s son Gino.
The Pozzo family are also long-term owners of Serie A side Udinese, with several players including Matei Vydra, Gerard Deulofeu, Roberto Pereira, Christian Cabasele, Stefano Okaka and Ken Sema among the long list of players who have played for both clubs over the past decade.
Watford’s current sporting director is former Serie A player Valon Behrami. He also moved from Watford to Udinese in 2017. As a player, he played for teams such as Genoa, Hellas Verona, Lazio, Fiorentina and Naples.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 4: Former Swiss football player Valon Behrami watches the Serie A TIM match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at Gewiss Stadium on February 4, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
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Watford currently sit eighth in the Championship, within striking distance of the play-off spots, and could jump into the top six if they win their current campaign.
The situation presents a competitive challenge for Beauvais to return to professional football, albeit at a slightly lower level than he was accustomed to earlier in his career: he has been a regular in La Liga and the Europa League during spells with Roma and Fiorentina.
How Calafiore was involved in Beauvais’ move to Watford
Playing for Watford also means Beauvais will be close to one of his oldest and closest friends, Italy international Calafioli
Eduardo Beauvais (left) and Riccardo Calafiore (right) during their youth days at Roma (Photo via Instagram Story @richycala)
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The Watford Observer reported on Monday that Calafiore played a key role in Beauvais’ decision to join the Hornets.
Bovi and Calafiore were both born in Rome, are the same age, and played for the same youth teams in Rome and Italy for about ten years.
Calafioli has publicly expressed his support on a number of occasions since Beauvais endured an unsettling ordeal on loan at Fiorentina 13 months ago. When Beauvais announced the termination of his contract with Roma recently, Calafioli was quick to comment: “We’ll see you soon.”
Geographically, Bovey and Calafiore will be very close, as Watford and Arsenal’s training grounds are adjacent.
