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This video can not be played I'm not scared - Edoardo Bove 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. " Edoardo Bove scored for Roma against Slavia Prague in the Europa League in 2023 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. Latest Watford news, analysis and fan views Listen to Watford content on BBC Sounds Brilliant Brook hits 136 off 66 balls as England pile up 357-3 Watch Guardiola Champions League news conference plus transfer updates Barca president unhappy at teen's 'unpleasant' PSG move Comedy thriller starring James Corden and Mathew Baynton A faceless hacker threatens to expose Finland's deepest secrets Chi is once again forced to contend with life and death Greg Foot investigates testosterone replacement therapy Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Why did Alcaraz, Sinner & Sabalenka have to remove fitness trackers? Six English clubs and old foes - all to play for on Champions League final day Can unfancied Scots be Six Nations contenders? F1 testing begins - but why all the secrecy? Cal-fouri, a lesser-spotted law & Russell v the Shed - Prem talking points 'Another unbelievable result' - but what's different about Man Utd now? 'Intoxicating title fight impossible to call as Hearts refuse to buckle' Grudge match or homecoming - what next for Pimblett? Why can't Newcastle win without Guimaraes? 'Joyless and toxic' - will Spurs put Frank out of his misery? 'Liverpool's struggles can no longer be hidden by long unbeaten run' Is Sinner-Alcaraz in danger of making majors boring? England fans' World Cup arrest record shows Infantino joke inaccurate Why Norrie exit underlines how Britain is punching below weight Eat & Yap - Arsenal striker Smith answers quickfire questions Video Eat & Yap - Arsenal striker Smith answers quickfire questions The day I discovered the Everton contract Revie never signed Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.