Tragedy as former Premier League footballer dies unexpectedly in swimming pool incident in Greece
Former Sheffield United and MK Dons defender George Baldock has tragically passed away at the age of just 31, with the circumstances of his death still unclear
by Dan Marsh · ChronicleLiveGeorge Baldock, the former Sheffield United defender, was found deceased in a swimming pool by the owner of his Greek villa after his wife had been unable to reach him, local reports suggest.
The sad confirmation came on Wednesday night that the 31 year old had died tragically. Emergency services were dispatched to the location, with a doctor from the responding team pronouncing his death upon arrival.
Baldock, who played for Greece internationally, had transferred to Panathinaikos last summer and resided in Glyfada, a southern suburb of Athens.
He is believed to have been discovered in the communal pool of his villa after the property owner conducted a search. The emergency response unit suspects he had been submerged for several hours based on the images they reviewed.
In the wake of the shocking news of his sudden demise on Wednesday night, Baldock's grief-stricken family released a statement: "We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss. We ask please that the media respect our privacy at this time.", reports the Mirror.
Panathinaikos also expressed their profound sorrow: "We are shocked, we are shocked by the loss of our George," the club stated. "The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock."
Sheffield United has expressed profound sadness upon hearing the news of their former player George Baldock's passing, saying: "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 team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him."
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community
The club extended its deepest sympathies, remarking: "The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George's family and friends."
Baldock, recognised for amassing 12 caps for Greece courtesy of his grandmother's heritage, had played across all five of England's top football divisions, representing teams such as Sheffield United, Oxford United, and MK Dons. Recently, he appeared for Panathinaikos in their clash against Olympiacos.
Ahead of the Nations League match between Greece and England at Wembley this Thursday night, the Greek Football Federation has requested that players wear black armbands in honour of Baldock, who had not joined the latest squad due to injury.
In reflection of the loss, the Greek Football Federation shared a heartfelt statement: "With profound sadness and sorrow, the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock."
"There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our own, young, man. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family."
On the eve of the match, England released a statement saying: "We're extremely saddened by the passing of George Baldock. George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece our opponents on Thursday night. We're thinking of George's family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time."
Tributes flowed in from across the football community for Baldock. Harry Maguire, his former colleague at Sheffield United and an England international, was quick to offer his condolences, sharing an image of Baldock accompanied by a broken heart emoji and the words "RIP."
The Greek Super League expressed its grief with a statement: "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."
MK Dons, where Baldock began his professional journey, also shared their heartache: "We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock," they stated, extending their support to his brother Sam, who is also part of the MK Dons history.
"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."