George Baldock: Former Sheffield United and Greece defender dies aged 31

Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31.

Baldock, a Greek international who played for Panathinaikos, was found in a swimming pool at his home in Athens on Wednesday night with police unable to revive him, a police source told the Reuters news agency. The cause of death is unknown at this stage.

Baldock - who was born and raised in England but qualified to play for Greece though his grandmother - signed for Panathinaikos this summer after a seven-year spell at Bramall Lane, making his debut in August.

The full-back, who was not named in the Greece squad to face England in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday night, made four appearances for the club and featured in Sunday's 0-0 derby draw with rivals Olympiacos.

A Super League Greece statement 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."

England international and former Sheffield United player Harry Maguire posted "RIP" and a heartbreak emoji alongside an image of Baldock on Instagram.

Northampton, where Baldock, who began his career at MK Dons, 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."

A statement from Sheffield United read: “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.

“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.”

“With deep sadness and pain, the national team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock," the Greece national team wrote on Facebook.

"There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye."

Baldock’s older brother Sam is also a footballer and played as a striker for the likes of Brighton, West Ham and Reading, while another sibling, James, is the club doctor at Oxford.

Oxford wrote on X: “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.”

MK Dons wrote: “We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock.

“George started his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior career debut at the Club before reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years.

“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.”

Players will wear black armbands and a minute’s silence will be held in tribute to Baldock ahead of kick-off between England and Greece at Wembley on Thursday night.

Tributes will also be paid at Wembley to anti-racism campaigner and Kick it Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, who died last week at the age of 79.