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 joined Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer after seven years at Sheffield United.

“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and deeply saddened by the passing 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 supporters, staff and teammates who donned a red and white shirt alongside him. The sincere condolences from everyone involved with Sheffield United go out to George’s family and friends.”

The defender joined Bramall Lane from MK Dons in 2017 and went on to make more than 200 appearances for the South Yorkshire club, in a spell that included 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 and recorded their best ever Premier League finish in the Covid-interrupted 2019-20 season.

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

Baldock started his career at MK Dons and was loaned out to Northampton Town, Tamworth and Oxford United before permanently joining Sheffield United.

He missed Panathinaikos’ first three matches of the new season due to injury, but played 75 minutes in their most recent league match 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 12 caps for his country.

Greece will play England in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday evening.

An English statement read: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of George Baldock.

“George was close to many of our players and represented Greece, our opponents, on Thursday evening.

“We are thinking of George’s family, friends and teammates across club and country at this difficult time.”

Baldock’s last appearance at international level came in March, when Greece lost on penalties to Georgia in the Euro 2024 play-off.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)