Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died aged 31 | Sheffield United

Former Sheffield United and Greece defender George Baldock has died aged 31.

According to police, his body was found on Wednesday in a swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, southern Athens, but the cause of death remains unknown.

Police attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Baldock but were unable to revive him and emergency medical units confirmed his death, an official told Reuters.

The Greece international signed for Panathinaikos in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and made his debut in August. The full-back, who was not named in the Nations League squad for the game against England on Thursday, played in the 0-0 draw against Olympiakos in the Greek Super League on Sunday.

A statement from the Greek national team said: “It is with deep sadness and sadness that the national team and the Greek Football Association bid farewell to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our young men. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family.”

Sheffield United paid tribute to their “extremely popular” former player. “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the death of former player George Baldock,” the club said in a statement. “The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with fans, staff and team-mates who wore a red and white jersey alongside him. “The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United go out to George’s family and friends.”

Harry Maguire, a former Sheffield United player, posted “RIP” and a heartbreak emoji alongside a picture of Baldock on Instagram.

Northampton, where Baldock was on loan in 2011, wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened by the death of former Sheffield United loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31. We send our sincere condolences to George’s family and friends.”

Buckinghamshire-born Baldock began his career at MK Dons and went on to play more than 100 times for the club. After a spell on loan, he signed for Sheffield United in 2017 and became a key figure as Chris Wilder's team secured promotion to the Premier League.

As his family has Greek ancestry, the defender was convinced by then Greek head coach Gus Poyet to play for the national team and played twelve international matches, most recently for his country at the beginning of the year.