The Greek Super League has announced that former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31. His body was found Wednesday in the pool of his Athens home, police officials said.
The cause of death remains unknown. Police attempted CPR on Baldock, but he was unable to be revived and paramedics pronounced him dead, police sources said.
Greece international Baldock signed for Panathinaikos this summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and made his debut in August. The full-back was not selected in Greece's squad to face England on Thursday, but featured in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Olympiakos.
Super League Greece said in a statement: “The entire Super League football family would like to express our deep sadness at the untimely death of Panathinaikos and national team footballer George Baldock and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. I express my heart.”
The Blades paid tribute to their “hugely popular” former player. “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player George Baldock,” the club said in a statement. “The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was hugely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates with whom he wore the red and white shirt.'' Everything to do with Sheffield United We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to George's family and friends.”
England international and former Sheffield United player Harry Maguire posted an image of Baldock on Instagram, along with the words “RIP” and heartbroken emojis.
Northampton, where Baldock was on loan in 2011, wrote in X: “We are extremely saddened to learn that former loan player George Baldock has passed away at the tragically young age of 31. George made five appearances in 2011 before going on to play for Oxford United, before joining Sheffield. United's deepest condolences to George's family and friends.
