Juventus star Daniele Rugani becomes first major footballer to contract coronavirus

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani on Wednesday was tested positive for coronavirus, making him the first major footballer to contract the virus, the Italian champions confirmed.

The 25-year-old "is currently asymptomatic", the Turin giants said, but the club is "currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."

Rugani is the first top-flight footballer to fall victim to the virus which has killed 827 in Italy and infected 12,000 people, including several Serie C players.

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Rugani has spent the last seven years at Juventus apart from a two-year loan spell at Empoli.

He has played just three league games this season, most recently against Brescia on February 16 and SPAL on February 22.

He was on the bench in Lyon for the Champions League last 16, first leg clash on February 26 in France and the team's last game against Inter Milan in Serie A on March 8.

READ: Coronavirus crisis halts all sporting events in Italy including Serie A

Inter said Wednesday that "all competitive activities have been suspended until further notice" as a result of Rugani's positive test.

"The club is currently taking steps to put all the necessary procedures into place," the Milan club said.

Juventus are due to host Lyon in their Champions League return fixture behind closed doors in Turin next Tuesday.

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