George Baldock: Former Sheffield United defender found dead aged 31

Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has been found dead at his home in Athens, Greece, at the age of 31.

Baldock joined Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer after seven years at Sheffield United.

“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,” the club said on Wednesday.

“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.”

The defender joined the Bramall Lane side from MK Dons in 2017 and went on to make over 200 appearances for the south Yorkshire club in a spell that included two promotions to the Premier League in 2019 and 2023.

He played all 38 games under then manager Chris Wilder as Sheffield United finished ninth to record their best-ever Premier League finish in the Covid-interrupted 2019-20 campaign.

Brighton & Hove Albion, where Baldock’s brother Sam works as pathway development coach, said: “Our love and condolences are with George’s brother and our colleague Sam, and his family and friends at this time.”

Baldock began his career at MK Dons with Sam and had loan spells at Northampton Town, Tamworth and Oxford United before joining Sheffield United in a permanent move.

He missed Panathinaikos’ first three games of the new campaign through injury but played 75 minutes in their most recent league outing against Olympiacos on Saturday, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Buckinghamshire-born full-back qualified to represent Greece through his grandmother and went on to win 12 caps for his country.

Greece are scheduled to play England at Wembley on Thursday evening in the Nations League. There will be a period of silence before kick-off and the both sets of players will wear black armbands to mark Baldock’s death.

An England statement read: “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.”

Baldock’s last appearance at international level came back in March as Greece lost on penalties to Georgia in their Euro 2024 play-off.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)