Italy: Former Player Found Dead After Disappearance

Former Italian player Christian Jidayi, 38, was found dead after being reported missing. The body was located by police in a wooded area in Lido Adriano, near Ravenna, in northern Italy. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death, which have not yet been officially disclosed.

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Jidayi was reported missing after failing to show up for work last Tuesday. Colleagues called family members, who filed a police report. The body was found around midnight the same day, after cell phone tracking.

Born in Avellino, Jidayi began his career in Cesena FC’s youth categories in 2005. Two years later, he made his professional debut in Serie B.

Right-back with a regular and disciplined profile, he played for clubs such as Novara FC, Aurora Pro Patria 1919 and Forlì.

In 2011-12, he joined Novara’s squad in Serie A — the first Italian division — after the team gained access. Although he did not play in the campaign, he was part of the group that competed in the elite that season.

In total, he spent 11 years as a professional in the Italian leagues.

Aiko Tanaka

Aiko Tanaka is a combat sports journalist and general sports reporter at Archysport. A former competitive judoka who represented Japan at the Asian Games, Aiko brings firsthand athletic experience to her coverage of judo, martial arts, and Olympic sports. Beyond combat sports, Aiko covers breaking sports news, major international events, and the stories that cut across disciplines — from doping scandals to governance issues to the business side of global sport. She is passionate about elevating the profile of underrepresented sports and athletes.

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