Panathinaikos defender Baldock found dead in his Athens home

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Panathinaikos defender George Baldock, a former Greece international who also played for Sheffield United for seven seasons, has been found dead in his Athens home. He was 31.

Police said Baldock's body was found late Wednesday in his swimming pool in the southern suburb of Glyfada. The cause of death was not immediately clear.

Police spokeswoman Konstantina Dimoglidou said there is no initial indication the death was suspicious.

She told The Associated Press on Thursday that the coroner who examined the body “informed us that there is no evidence of a criminal act.”

She added: "The house too was searched by the criminal investigations directorate. It doesn’t seem that a criminal act took place but the investigation is continuing for any eventuality.”

ERT television said the coroner determined drowning as the cause of death, but Dimoglidou was not immediately able to confirm that.

Britain-born Baldock, who was of Greek heritage, was called up for Greece in 2022 and played 12 matches, the last in March in the loss on penalties to Georgia in the Euro 2024 playoffs.

He was not in Greece's squad for Thursday's UEFA Nations League game against England.

“There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people," the Greek soccer federation said in a statement via UEFA. "This moment calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye."

Baldock joined Sheffield United in 2017 and helped the club earn promotion to the Premier League twice, in 2019 and 2023. He joined Panathinaikos in May, on a three-year contract, after Sheffield United was again relegated to England's second division.

“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,” the club said on social media. “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.”

Panathinaikos said in a club statement, "We are shocked, we feel appalled by the loss of our George. The family of Panathinaikos mourns his sudden death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock.”

The English Football Association confirmed there would be a period of silence before Thursday's Nations League match between England and Greece at Wembley, and players of both sides would wear black armbands. UEFA said a similar tribute would be paid when Greece hosts Ireland on Sunday.

The FA confirmed tributes would also be paid prematch to Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, who died last week aged 79.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Costas Kantouris, The Associated Press