Professional Footballer Passes Away At 31

George Baldock, a professional footballer who also played for the Greek national team, has passed away.

He was 31.

The British-born player was born in England and had Greek ancestry through his grandmother.

Baldock spent seven seasons with Sheffield United, three of which in the Premier League.

At the time of his death, Baldock played for Panathinaikos of Super League Greece.

He made 12 appearances with the Greek national team from 2022 to 2024.

According to Reuters, Baldock’s body was found on Wednesday in a swimming pool at his home in a southern Athens suburb.

Police attempted CPR but could not revive him.

Soccer star dies suddenly at 31. He was found floating in his pool and it appears they have ruled out criminal activity and don’t know if he had a medical episode. Can you guess what he has in common with all the others? RIP. pic.twitter.com/y7OoMg46Ku

— Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News (@unhealthytruth) October 12, 2024

RIP George Baldock, 31 is no age. Sending lots of love to his family and close ones. pic.twitter.com/vIs4HQ0RBE

— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) October 11, 2024

Per Reuters:

Baldock, who was of Greek ancestry and was capped 12 times for the country, joined Panathinaikos in May from Sheffield United after the English side were relegated from the top flight.

He also played for lower league sides MK Dons and Oxford United.

Sheffield United said they were shocked and extremely saddened by the death of a popular player who spent seven years at Bramall Lane, with other English clubs sending their condolences.

Baldock made four appearances for Panathinaikos, including a 0-0 draw with local rivals Olympiakos at the weekend, but had not been selected for Greece’s Nations League squad for a game against England at Wembley on Thursday.

England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, a former Sheffield United player, posted a photograph of Baldock on Instagram with a broken heart emoji and RIP.

“With deep sadness and pain, the national team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock,” the Greek team said on Facebook.

For George Baldock

Greece beat England for the first time ever, only a day after the death of their teammate.

At full-time, they celebrated together with his shirt pic.twitter.com/VFjmeyudFS

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) October 10, 2024

Blades pay tribute to George Baldock.#twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/zwTjD4AXUj

— The Bladesman (@The_Bladesman) October 9, 2024

CNN reports:

“A forensic pathologist was called to the scene and examined the body, finding no signs of criminal activity. The police conducted a search of the residence and ruled out breaking and entering.

“Additionally, a specialized team from the Police’s Forensic Investigations Directorate conducted an inspection of the residence to rule out the possibility of criminal activity,” the statement said.

Athens football club Panathinaikos, which signed Baldock earlier this year on a three-year contract, paid tribute to the player, writing in a statement: “We are shocked, we feel appalled by the loss of our George. The family of Panathinaikos mourns his sudden death.

“We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock.”

WATCH:

Baldock’s family said he drowned while swimming.

From the Associated Press:

George Baldock, the Greece international soccer player who was found dead at his home in Athens on Wednesday, drowned while swimming in his pool, his family said.

Greek police said this week there was no initial indication the death of the 31-year-old former Premier League player was suspicious.

“We are heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George. We can confirm that a post-mortem examination has found that George tragically drowned whilst swimming in the pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens,” Baldock’s family said in a statement issued to The Associated Press.

The family said the Panathinaikos defender, who was born in Britain, had been due to return to the U.K. on Thursday to celebrate his baby son’s first birthday.

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