Former Premier League and Sheffield United player George Baldock has been found dead in the pool of his home in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada, police sources told the Reuters news agency. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
The 31-year-old left Sheffield United this summer after spending seven illustrious years at the club, having arrived from MK Dons. He then moved to the Greek side Panathinaikos. All these clubs have sent their condolence messages mourning his demise.
MK Dons wrote:
“We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of our 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.”
Sheffield United, where he spent the majority of his playing years, stated:
“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 teammates who wore the red and white shirt alongside him.
The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”
His current team, Panathinaikos, with whom he last featured on October 3rd in the club’s Europa Conference League match, wrote:
“We are shocked by the loss of our George. The Panathinaikos family mourns his unexpected loss. We stand with the family and relatives of George Baldock.”
The Greece National Team added:
“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.”
Former Sheffield teammate Harry Maguire and Northampton Town, where Baldock had a loan spell in 2011, have also paid their respects to the full-back.