- George Baldock has been found dead at his home in Greece at the age of 31.
- Tributes have poured in for the former full-back after his untimely death.
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Beginning!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Harry Maguire has paid tribute to former Sheffield United star George Baldock after he was found dead at his home in Greece on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old made more than 400 appearances in English football and spent seven years with the Blades, twice winning promotion to the Premier League, before joining Greek side Panathinaikos this summer.
In a post on Instagram, Maguire shared a photo of Baldock with the caption ‘RIP’ accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
Sheffield United paid tribute to their former player with a post on their official X account.
“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player George Baldock.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world following the death of George Baldock.
Harry Maguire shared a photo of the former Sheffield United defender on his Instagram Story.
The pair faced each other on many occasions, including this 2018 FA Cup clash.
‘The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was hugely popular with fans, staff and team-mates who wore a red and white shirt alongside him.
“The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”
Baldock began his career at MK Dons alongside his brother Sam, and went on to make 125 appearances in all of the club’s competitions.
The Dons shared their condolences following Baldock’s passing on Wednesday.
“We are deeply devastated and saddened to hear the shocking news about former Academy graduate and MK Dons player George Baldock.
‘George began his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his professional debut for 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 deepest condolences during these terrible times.
“You’ll always be one of us, George.”
After making his senior debut for his boyhood club, Baldock spent part of the 2011-12 campaign on loan at Northampton and the club shared their condolences on social media.
The Blades paid tribute to the ‘extremely popular’ star following his untimely death
Baldock graduated from MK Dons’ academy along with his brother Sam and went on to make 125 appearances for the club.
Northampton also shared their condolences after Baldock enjoyed a season on loan at the club during the start of his career.
It said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragic age of 31.
‘George made five appearances in 2011 before playing for Oxford United and Sheffield United. Sending our deepest condolences to George’s family and friends.’
One Sheffield United supporter on social media wrote: “Just sat watching the news about George Baldock unfold. Speechless. Heartbroken.
‘A fantastic footballer and a brilliant man who understood what it meant to be a Blade. A Sheffield United legend and a hero to a generation of Blades. RIP star man.’
Baldock was an integral component of Chris Wilder’s team that broke into the top flight after finishing second in the Championship the previous season.
The full-back was one of only three players to start all 38 of the Blades’ league games in the 2019-20 campaign, and they finished ninth, just five points off the European places.
Baldock also won 12 caps for Greece, having qualified to represent the former European champions through his grandmother.
Baldock earned 12 caps for Greece after being offered his debut by then-manager Gus Poyet.
England paid tribute to Baldock ahead of the clash with Greece at Wembley on Thursday.
England will host Greece in a Nations League clash on Thursday and the Three Lions shared their tribute to Baldock online.
‘We are very saddened by the passing of George Baldock. George was close to many of our players and represented Greece, our opponent on Thursday night.
“We are thinking of George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time.”