Former Premier League player George Baldock has tragically died at the age of 31.
The ex-Sheffield United defender was found dead in his swimming pool in Greece on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
Baldock, who was born in England, was a 12-cap Greek international having qualified to represent the nation through his grandmother.
He moved to Greece to play his club football this summer, joining one of their biggest sides in Panathinaikos from Sheffield United.
The defender previously spent seven years at Bramall Lane, making 219 appearances for the Blades.
He made four appearances for Panathinaikos this season, with his most recent outing coming on October 6.
A statement from the Greek Super League read: “The entire Super League football family expresses its deep sorrow for the untimely loss of Panathinaikos and our national team footballer, George Baldock, and extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Baldock’s career started with MK Dons, where he played alongside his brother Sam for the club.
He also represented Oxford United, Tamworth and Northampton Town before he moved to Sheffield United in 2017.
The defender played a key role in the club’s stunning 2019/20 Premier League season when they finished an impressive 9th.
Baldock featured 83 times in the Premier League for Sheffield United before departing this summer.
He missed out on the Greece squad for this international window, where he could have faced England on Thursday.
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Baldock was also absent from the national team during the September fixtures against Finland and Ireland due to injury.
Harry Maguire was among those to react to the tragic news.
The Manchester United and England defender shared an Instagram picture of Baldock with the words ‘RIP’ and a broken heart emoji.
Sheffield United also paid tribute to their former defender in a touching social media post.
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“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,” the club wrote.
“The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates 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.”
Northampton Town, where Baldock spent part of the 2011/12 season, wrote: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31.”
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“George made 5 appearances in 2011 on loan from MK Dons before playing for Oxford and Sheff Utd. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family/friends.”
Baldock’s brother, Sam, retired from football in 2023 and is now a development coach at Brighton.
“We are shocked to learn of the passing of George Baldock at the age of 31,” Brighton said in a statement on X.
“Our love and condolences are with George’s brother and our colleague Sam, and his family and friends at this time.”
