Greece international player George Baldock passed away on Wednesday, shocking the Greek football community and bringing its usually bitter rival supporters together in tributes.
The 31-year-old right-back, an English native and former Premier League veteran for Sheffield United, was discovered dead in his swimming pool at his residence in the Glyfada neighborhood of southern Athens on Wednesday night.
“We can announce George’s tragic passing. His family released a statement saying, “As a family, we are in shock at this terrible loss.”
The news of Baldock’s death dominated social media, with the top-tier Super League and clubs extending condolences even before Panathinaikos issued their statement
Grief for the passing of a truly beloved player was voiced even by supporters of opposing clubs to Panathinaikos.
Baldock was “at the bottom of the pool,” according to State TV ERT, and a bottle of vodka was discovered nearby.
According to ANA, Baldock’s wife, who is abroad, contacted the homeowner after unsuccessfully attempting to reach the footballer by phone.
A coroner was called, and several Panathinaikos players gathered outside the building while police cars and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene.
According to ERT on Thursday, the athlete had been dead for almost five hours when he was discovered, but an initial inspection did not show any evidence of criminal activity. Additionally, there was no sign of forced entry into the house.
After spending seven years at Sheffield United, which was demoted from the English Premier League to the Championship the previous season, Baldock joined Panathinaikos in May.
He is of Greek descent through his father and was called up to the Greek national squad in 2022 by then-manager Gus Poyet.
Despite having 12 caps, he was not chosen for the team’s Thursday Nations League game against England at Wembley.
In remembrance of the player, the official websites of the Greece team and his club on Facebook and X, the former Twitter, were both darkened.
Former Sheffield United player and England international defender Harry Maguire of Manchester United shared a picture of Baldock on Instagram along with the words “RIP” and a heartbreak emoji.
“RIP George Baldock” was written under a black and white photo of the former player on Sheffield United’s site.
The statement from Sheffield United Football Club read, “We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.”
Northampton, where Baldock was loaned money in 2011, posted on X with the following message: “We are very sorry to hear about the unfortunate death of former loanee George Baldock at the age of 31
Before rising to the pinnacles of the Premier League in subsequent years, George began his career at Stadium MK, where he progressed through the junior ranks and made his professional career debut at the Club.
Baldock was referred to by the Greek federation as “one of our own,” and they have asked that the Greek players wear black armbands throughout the match in loving memories of their beloved player.
