Harry Maguire & Wrexham star Elliot Lee among those to pay tribute to George Baldock as ex-Premier League defender dies aged 31

On Wednesday, Baldock was sadly found dead in the pool of his villa in Greece, Reuters news agency reported, citing a police official. After seven years at Sheffield United, where he earned two promotions, Baldock relocated to the Greek capital to join Panathinaikos earlier this summer and had become a mainstay in their defence. Heartfelt tributes have now rolled in for the former Premier League defender.

• TRIBUTES FROM PLAYERS

  Harry Maguire:

  Instagram @harrymaguire93Elliot Lee:

  Instagram (@elliotlee9)Dean Henderson:

  “RIP. Blades legend!!!” Henderson wrote on X.

  Kyle Walker-Peters:

  Instagram (@kwp)

  SHEFFIELD UNITED AND PANATHINAIKOS PAY TRIBUTE

  Sheffield United and Panathinaikos responded to the devastating news on social media.

  The Blades wrote on X: “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock. The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him. The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”

  Panathinaikos posted: “We are shocked, we are shocked by the loss of our George. The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock.”

  ENGLAND ALSO RESPOND

  The England national team wrote on X: “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.”

  Meanwhile, MK Dons and Northampton Town, two other clubs Baldock represented, expressed their sadness at the news.

  “We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock,” MK Dons wrote. “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.”

  Northampton added: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31. George made 5 appearances in 2011 on loan from MK Dons before playing for Oxford and Sheff Utd. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family/friends.”

  BALDOCK’S FAMILY RELEASE STATEMENT

  On Thursday morning, Baldock’s family confirmed the former Sheffield United star’s death in a short statement which read: “We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family, we are in shock at this terrible loss. We ask please that the media respect our privacy at this time.”