The sudden death of Panathinaikos and Greece international George Baldock has left the Greek football community in shock and mourning.
On Wednesday evening, authorities found the 31-year-old English-born right-back dead in a swimming pool at his home in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada.
Baldock’s family confirmed his passing in a statement, saying they were “in shock at this terrible loss.”
Tributes poured in from across the football world, uniting even rival fans in their grief.
The Greek Super League and clubs, including Panathinaikos’ arch-rivals Olympiacos, sent condolences.
Baldock joined Panathinaikos in May after a seven-year spell with Sheffield United in the Premier League.
Then-manager Gus Poyet called him up for Greece in 2022, and he earned 12 caps for the team. Poyet described himself as “devastated” by the news.
UEFA expressed its condolences, saying the European football community was “deeply saddened” by Baldock’s passing.
The Greek Federation requested that Greece’s players wear black armbands for their Nations League match against England.
Baldock’s former clubs, including Sheffield United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, paid tribute to the player.
According to Persecondnews, Sheffield United changed their homepage to a black and white photo of Baldock, and both Northampton and MK Dons, where he had loan spells, expressed their condolences.
The Football Association in England described Baldock’s passing as “devastating” and offered their “thoughts and deepest condolences” to his family, friends, and teammates.
An investigation into Baldock’s death is ongoing, with initial reports suggesting no signs of foul play.
A coroner’s examination found that Baldock had been dead for approximately five hours before being discovered.
Panathinaikos canceled training sessions and blackened their social media sites in tribute to Baldock. The football community continues to mourn the loss of a talented and well-liked player.
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