The former Sheffield United and Greece defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31.
According to police sources, his body was found on Wednesday in a swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, southern Athens, but the cause of death remains unknown. Police tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Baldock but could not revive him and medical emergency units confirmed his death, one official told the Reuters news agency.
The Greece international signed for Panathinaikos in the summer, after a seven-year spell at Bramall Lane, and made his debut in August. The full-back, who was not named in the Nations League squad to face England on Thursday, had played in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Olympiakos in Greece’s Super League.
A statement from the Greece national team read: “With profound sadness and sorrow, the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our own, young, man. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family.”
Sheffield United paid tribute to their “extremely popular” former player. “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,” a club statement read. “The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and teammates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him. The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”
Harry Maguire, a former Sheffield United player, posted “RIP” and a heartbreak emoji alongside an image of Baldock on Instagram, while is former teammate Dean Henderson posted “RIP Blades legend” on X along with a picture of the pair.
A Football Association statement read: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of George Baldock at the age of 31. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with George’s family, friends and teammates at club and country.”
An England statement added: “We’re extremely saddened by the passing of George Baldock. George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night. We’re thinking of George’s family, friends and teammates at club and country at this difficult time.”
The Buckingham-born Baldock started his career at MK Dons and went on to play more than 100 times for the club. He had numerous loan spells away, with two stints at Oxford among them. Northampton, where Baldock had a loan spell in 2011, wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31. George made five appearances in 2011 before playing for Oxford United and Sheffield United. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family and friends.”
Baldock signed for Sheffield United in 2017 and two years later he was a key figure as Chris Wilder’s team secured promotion to the Premier League. They initially took the top flight by storm before they suffered relegation in 2021. Baldock helped the Blades secure automatic promotion back to the summit of English football and his form earned him international recognition in 2022.
With Greek ancestry in his family, the defender was convinced by the then Greece head coach, Gus Poyet, to play for the national team and went on to earn 12 caps, last playing for his country earlier this year.
A switch to Panathinaikos followed after 219 appearances for the Blades. Baldock played at MK Dons with his elder brother Sam Baldock, who is now an academy coach at Brighton. A Brighton statement read: “We are shocked to learn of the passing of George Baldock at the age of 31. Our love and condolences are with George’s brother and our colleague Sam, and his family and friends at this time.”
MK Dons said in a statement: “We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock. Everyone affiliated with MK Dons shares a great love for George, Sam and the Baldock family, and we would like to share our sincerest condolences during these awful times. You will always be one of our own, George.”
Baldock’s other brother James Baldock is a club doctor at Oxford. A club statement read: “Oxford United Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock, aged 31. The sincere condolences of everyone associated with the Club are extended to James, Sam, his family, and friends.”
Source: theguardian.com
