Panathinaikos defender George Baldock, a former Greece international who played for Sheffield United for seven seasons, has been found dead in his home in Athens, according to Greek media reports. He was 31 years old.
State-run ERT television reported that Baldock’s body was discovered late Wednesday in his swimming pool in the southern suburb of Glyfada. The cause of death has not been determined yet.
Born in Britain, Baldock was called up to play for Greece in 2022 and appeared in 12 matches, with his last game being in March during Greece’s penalty loss to Georgia in the Euro 2024 playoffs.
He was not included in Greece’s squad for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League match against England.
Baldock joined Sheffield United in 2017 and helped the team gain promotion to the Premier League twice, in 2019 and 2023. He moved to Panathinaikos in May on a three-year contract after Sheffield United was relegated again to England’s second division.
“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,” the club stated on social media. “The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff, and teammates who played alongside him.”