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, aged 31.

Baldock moved to Greek club Panathinaikos in the summer after six years at Sheffield United.

“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the death 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 fans, staff and team-mates who wore a red and white jersey alongside him. “The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United go out 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, including 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, achieving their best-ever Premier League result in the coronavirus-disrupted 2019-20 season.

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

Baldock began his career at MK Dons and had loan spells at Northampton Town, Tamworth and Oxford United before moving permanently to Sheffield United.

He missed Panathinaikos’ first three games of the new season due to injury, but played 75 minutes in the final league game against Olympiacos on Saturday, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Buckinghamshire-born full-back qualified to represent Greece through his grandmother and won twelve caps for his country.

His last international appearance came in March when Greece lost on penalties to Georgia in the Euro 2024 play-offs.

Greece is scheduled to play England in the Nations League at Wembley Stadium on Thursday evening.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)