Thursday, October 10, 2024 - Greek footballer, George Baldock has been found dead in a swimming pool at his home in Greece at the age of just 31.
The former Premier League defender, who was playing for
Greek club Panathinaikos in Athens, was discovered on Wednesday night,
October 9, after his wife back home in England could not reach him for several
hours, local newspapers report.
The owner of his luxury property was reportedly contacted
and apparently found him unresponsive in the pool. The emergency services were
called and arrived in nine minutes, but he could not be revived.
Police reportedly tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the
31-year-old former Premier League player but could not revive him and medical
emergency units confirmed his death at the scene, one official told Reuters.
His family have said they are in total 'shock' over his
death.
Despite being born in England, George played for Greece 12
times after qualifying to represent the country through his grandmother.
'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', his family said in a statement late last
night.
The former Sheffield United star would have likely played
for his country at Wembley against England tonight but was currently injured.
Greece have asked UEFA for permission for both teams to wear
black armbands for the Nations League fixture at 7.45pm.
Mr Baldock was nicknamed 'Furious George' by Sheffield
United fans who loved his uncompromising style and win-at-all-costs attitude.
Baldock joined Panathinaikos in the summer after
spending seven celebrated seasons with the Blades, where he was dubbed 'Furious
George', in the Premier League and Championship.
He started his career at MK Dons and played in all of
England's top five divisions.
He missed out on Greece's most recent squad, which is due to
play England in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday, after
suffering an injury which ruled him out of games in September.
Baldock's wife reportedly tried to contact him for several
hours without a response, before she got in touch with the owner of his villa
in Glyfada, a suburb south of Athens.
After searching the suburban property, they found Baldock in
the communal pool and called the emergency services.
He was reportedly in the water for several hours before he
was found, according to images seen by the response unit.
A heartbroken Sheffield United paid tribute to their former
player as they announced the news to their fans.
'Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely
saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,' they posted
on X.
'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.'
Northampton Town, where he played five games on loan, wrote
on X: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George
Baldock at the tragically young age of 31.
'Sending our sincerest condolences to George's family and
friends.'
His boyhood club, MK Dons, also said they were 'devastated'
to hear the news, in an emotional post as they said he 'will always be one of
our own'.
They said: 'We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn
about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George
Baldock.
'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.'
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