Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31.
The England-born Greece international was found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Glyfada, southern Athens.
Baldock had joined Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer after seven years at the Blades.
Sheffield United expressed their shock at the news, saying: “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.”
Baldock had made four appearances for Panathinaikos and started in their goalless draw with Olympiakos on Sunday.
The Greek Super League said: “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, who had been capped 12 times for Greece, started his career at MK Dons on 2009 and played more than 100 times for them.
He had loan spells with several clubs including Northampton and Oxford United, before joining Sheffield United in 2017.
He made 219 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and again in 2023.
Baldock was born in Buckingham but qualified for Greece through his grandmother and was called up for the national team for the first time in May 2022 by manager Gus Poyet.
He made his debut for the country the following month in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in Belfast.
The social media accounts of Panathinaikos and the Greece national team blackened their profile pictures on Wednesday evening.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, who started his career at Sheffield United, posted a picture of Baldock with a broken heart emoji and the letters RIP.
Northampton Town tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family and friends.”
More to follow.
