England and Greece paid tribute to George Baldock ahead of their UEFA Nations League match after he died aged 31 on Wednesday.
Players from both teams observed a minute’s silence before the match at Wembley after the former Sheffield United defender was found dead in the communal pool of his villa in Greece.
A shirt with Baldock’s name was held up by the Greek national team as part of the touching tribute before kick-off.
Baldock was born in Buckinghamshire and played more than 400 times in English football but earned 12 caps for Greece after qualifying through his grandmother.
He left Sheffield United this summer after seven seasons and joined Greek club Panathinaikos, taking up residence in the luxury suburb of Glyfada, south of Athens.
England and Greece have paid tribute to George Baldock ahead of their match at Wembley
Players observed a minute’s silence to remember Baldock ahead of their Nations League tie
Former Sheffield United defender Baldock died on Wednesday aged 31 in Greece, where he was playing for Panathinaikos
The Greek national team held up a shirt with Baldock’s name in a touching tribute pre-match
Athens broadsheet Kathimerini claims that a post-mortem examination was completed in the Greek capital today and ‘drowning in water’ has been given as the cause of death by the medical examiner.
Toxicology tests taken during the autopsy – including whether alcohol was present in his system when he died – will take ‘several days’ to come back. Police have already ruled out any criminal activity.
Both sets of teams are wearing black armbands tonight to pay tribute to Baldock, who had been left out of Greece’s squad due to injury.
The Hellenic Football Federation said: ‘With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock.
‘There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence.
‘Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye’.
Panathinaikos also paid tribute, writing: ‘We are overwhelmed, we are shocked by the loss of our George. The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand by the family and relatives of George Baldock.’
England international Ben Chilwell, who played with Baldock at MK Dons, penned a heartfelt tribute. ‘From hitting the bars together when we were younger in MK, to playing each other in the Premier League. I am heartbroken. Rest in peace mate,’ he wrote on Instagram.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire also paid tribute to the defender, simply posting ‘RIP’, alongside a broken heart emoji. Southampton fullback Kyle Walker-Peters wrote: ‘Horrible news. RIP George.’
Baldock waves farewell to the fans ahead of the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane in May before his move to Greece
The scene where Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens, Greece
Chelsea and England defender Ben Chilwell paid tribute to Baldock, who he played with during their time together at MK Dons
England defender Harry Maguire was among the first to react, writing ‘RIP’ on Instagram
George was living in this property in the Greek capital after a move to club giant Panathinaikos
Emergency services outside the house of British-born Panathinaikos and Greece defender Baldock, where he was found dead, in the exclusive suburb of Glyfada
Police will be looking at the CCTV from the property to confirm he was alone
Tributes are laid for ex-Sheffield United player George Baldock outside the club’s Bramall Lane stadium this afternoon
George was known as ‘Starman’ by supporters who sung an ode to him at matches to the tune of the David Bowie hit
Flowers and shirts were hung in his memory – he spent seven years with the Blades
This card said he was a club ‘legend’ who would ‘always be in our hearts’
There were also tributes from his former clubs in England as well as the FA.
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.
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.
His boyhood club, MK Dons, 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.’
The footballer moved to Greek club Panathinaikos in the summer and was found dead in his swimming pool on Wednesday
After his partner was unable to contact him, the owner of the villa searched the property and found him in the pool
Baldock played in the Premier League and Championship with Sheffield United for seven years
Also responding to the news, England football’s official account said they were ‘extremely saddened’.
They continued: ‘We’re extremely saddened by the passing of George Baldock.
‘George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night. We’re thinking of George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time.’
