FIORENTINA and Ivory Coast star Christian Kouame has been hospitalised after contracting malaria.
The winger, 26, was a part of the Ivorians' triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this month.
But when he returned to Italy to link up with his club, he was suffering from a fever.
This led to tests in Florence as medics looked to work out the issue.
And Fiorentina have now confirmed Kouame has been diagnosed with malaria.
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A club statement read: "Christian Kouame took a malaria test on Wednesday morning after developing a fever and a feeling of malaise during the night between February 20th and 21st.
"The test came back positive.
"Christian has gone into hospital to receive treatment and will continue to be assessed over the coming days."
Kouame, who started three of Ivory Coast's six games at the tournament, is the third Afcon player to test positive for malaria.
Mali star Moussa Diarra contracted the illness, while compatriot and Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma also tested positive for the virus, but was still available for selection until his country were eliminated in the last 16.
Kouame, who has 26 international caps, has made 22 appearances for Fiorentina this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
But his departure for Afcon at the beginning of 2024 coincided with a huge downturn in the club's form.
They have won just one of seven Serie A games without Kouame, losing four.
They were also beaten 3-0 by Napoli in the semi-finals of the Italian Super Cup.
