Fiorentina star Edoardo Bove made his return to parent club Roma on Sunday - just months after collapsing on the pitch.

Bove, 22, was rushed to hospital in December after falling to the floor untouched in the 16th minute of a Serie A match, which was subsequently abandoned.

Players and staff had formed a wall around Bove while medical staff tended to him. Reports in Italy claim that a defibrillator was used to restart Bove's heart before the footballer was taken to the intensive care unit of the Careggi hospital in Florence.

The midfielder has since been on the road to recovery and has expressed his aim to be back in action next season.

Bove, who has been on loan at Fiorentina since last summer and remains contracted to Roma until 2028, made an appearance during the two sides' showdown on Sunday.

Though not yet fit to play, he joined his teammates for the match at Stadio Olimpico and received a warm, emotional welcome.

As he approached the iconic Curva Sud, Bove was greeted with a thunderous ovation, chants of his name ringing out across the stadium.

The emotional moment overwhelmed the midfielder, who was visibly moved and wiped away tears as he took in the rapturous reception from the supporters who have watched him grow from academy talent to first-team regular.

One banner in the stands read: 'Edoardo, don't give up, keep dreaming.'