The football community is mourningthe sudden death of George Baldock, a former Sheffield United defender and Greece international. The 31-year-old was found lifeless at his home in Glyfada, a suburb of Athens, Greece on Wednesday night (9 October). This tragic incident occurred just before Baldock was scheduled to return to the UK to celebrate his son’s first birthday with his family.
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Local reports stated that Baldock was discovered by his landlord after his wife, who resides in England, grew concerned when she couldn't reach him. The landlord entered the property by jumping over the fence and found Baldock at the bottom of the pool.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but despite efforts to resuscitate him, they were unable to revive the player, BBC. The cause of death has been confirmed as drowning, and a post-mortem examination revealed that Baldock had likely died at least an hour before his body was found. A half-empty bottle of vodka and two glasses were found by the pool, prompting further investigation.
Police investigation continues into Baldock’s death
While the initial post-mortem ruled out criminal activity, Greek authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Baldock's death, reports The Sun. The discovery of two glasses near the pool has raised questions about whether another person may have been present at the time of the incident. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the property and surrounding areas in an effort to gather more information.
However, early findings indicate no signs of foul play, and investigators have not found any evidence to suggest that Baldock's death was anything other than a tragic accident. Toxicology results are still pending and may provide additional insights into the events leading up to his death. A police spokesperson stated that there was no evidence of criminal activity.
Who was George Baldock?
George Baldock was a well-known figure in English and Greek football, with a career that spanned over a decade. Born in Buckingham, England, in 1993, Baldock initially rose through the ranks at MK Dons, making his senior debut for the club in 2009.
Throughout his early career, he had loan spells with several clubs, including Northampton and Oxford United. However, it was his move to Sheffield United in 2017 that cemented his place in English football. Over the next seven years, Baldock made 219 appearances for the Blades, becoming a key player in their promotion to the Premier League in both 2019 and 2023.
His impressive performances earned him recognition on the international stage. Though born in England, Baldock qualified to play for Greece through his maternal grandmother, and he was first called up to the national team in 2022. He earned 12 caps for Greece, making his debut in a 1-0 win against Northern Ireland.
Baldock's recent move to Panathinaikos marked a new chapter in his career. Unfortunately, his time with the Greek club was cut tragically short.
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Sources used:
BBC: Greece 'gave everything' for Baldock in win over England
The Sun: George Baldock cops probing if another person was present on day of ex-Premier League star’s death
