Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has tragically died on the age of 31.
The England-born Greece worldwide, who moved to Panathinaikos in the summertime, was discovered lifeless in his swimming pool at his home in Athens on Wednesday.
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A household assertion learn: “We will affirm that George has sadly handed away. As a household we’re in shock at this horrible loss. We ask please that the media respect our privateness right now.”
Baldock was a 12-cap Greece worldwide having certified to symbolize the nation by way of his grandmother.
He moved to Greece to play his membership soccer this summer season, becoming a member of one in all their largest sides in Panathinaikos from Sheffield United.
The defender beforehand spent seven years at Bramall Lane, making 219 appearances for the Blades.
He made 4 appearances for Panathinaikos this season, together with his most up-to-date outing approaching Sunday in opposition to Olympiacos.
Baldock missed out on the Greece squad for this worldwide window, the place he may have confronted England on Thursday.
A press release from the Greece nationwide crew learn: “With profound unhappiness and sorrow, the Nationwide Crew and the Greek Soccer Federation bid farewell to George Baldock.
“There aren’t any phrases to explain the human ache attributable to the information of the sudden lack of one in all our personal, younger, man. The second forces silence. Condolences to his household. Condolences from his second household.”
A Panathinaikos assertion added: “We’re shocked by the lack of our George. The household of Panathinaikos mourns his premature dying. We stand with the household and family members of George Baldock,”
The Greek Tremendous League additionally launched an announcement, saying: “The whole Tremendous League soccer household expresses its deep sorrow for the premature lack of Panathinaikos and our nationwide crew footballer, George Baldock, and extends its deepest condolences to his household and family members.”
Baldock’s profession began with MK Dons, the place he performed alongside his brother Sam for the membership.
He additionally represented Oxford United, Tamworth and Northampton City earlier than he moved to Sheffield United in 2017.
The defender performed a key function within the membership’s gorgeous 2019/20 Premier League season once they completed a powerful ninth.
Baldock featured 83 occasions within the Premier League for Sheffield United earlier than departing this summer season.
Harry Maguire, who got here by way of Sheffield United’s academy, was amongst these to react to the tragic information.
The Manchester United and England defender shared an Instagram image of Baldock with the phrases ‘RIP’ and a damaged coronary heart emoji.
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Sheffield United additionally paid tribute to their former defender in a touching social media put up.
“Sheffield United Soccer Membership is shocked and very saddened to study of the passing of former participant, George Baldock,” the membership wrote.
“The defender left the membership in the summertime after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extraordinarily well-liked with supporters, workers and team-mates who pulled on a pink and white shirt alongside him.
“The honest condolences of everybody related to Sheffield United are prolonged to George’s household and associates.”
Northampton City, the place Baldock spent a part of the 2011/12 season, wrote: “We’re deeply saddened to study of the passing of former loanee George Baldock on the tragically younger age of 31.”
“George made 5 appearances in 2011 on mortgage from MK Dons earlier than enjoying for Oxford and Sheff Utd. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s household/associates.”
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MK Dons stated in an announcement: “We’re deeply devastated and saddened to study concerning the stunning information of former academy graduate and MK Dons participant, George Baldock.
“Everybody affiliated with MK Dons shares an ideal love for George, Sam and the Baldock household, and we want to share our sincerest condolences throughout these terrible occasions. You’ll at all times be one in all our personal, George.”
The Soccer Affiliation additionally expressed its devastation at Baldock’s dying.
“We’re devastated to study of the passing of George Baldock on the age of 31. Our ideas and deepest condolences are with George’s household, associates and team-mates at membership and nation,” an FA assertion learn.
An England assertion added: “We’re extraordinarily saddened by the passing of George Baldock.
“George was near a lot of our gamers, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night time. We’re pondering of George’s household, associates and team-mates at membership and nation at this troublesome time.”
Baldock’s brother, Sam, retired from soccer in 2023 and is now a growth coach at Brighton.
“We’re shocked to study of the passing of George Baldock on the age of 31,” Brighton stated in an announcement on X.
“Our love and condolences are with George’s brother and our colleague Sam, and his household and associates right now.”
Baldock’s different brother James Baldock is a membership physician at Oxford, who stated in an announcement: “Oxford United Soccer Membership is deeply saddened to study of the passing of former participant, George Baldock, aged 31.
“The honest condolences of everybody related to the Membership are prolonged to James, Sam, his household, and associates.”
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