Mourning prevails in Greek football for the tragic death of 31-year-old George Baldock, who was found dead last night in the pool of his home in Glyfada.

Authorities are trying to determine the exact circumstances of his death, as it has been reported that nothing indicated this outcome, except for the fact that he had not communicated for several hours. His wife, who was in England with their daughter, was searching for him and had to contact the owner of the house that Baldock was renting to have him check on what was happening. The man went to the property only to find the 31-year-old footballer dead in the pool.

His death was immediately confirmed by the ambulance rescuers who rushed to the scene shortly after the notification but could do nothing to revive him. According to information from protothema.gr, Baldock had been in the pool dead for at least five hours, with more details expected to emerge after the autopsy.

The same reports indicate that the police handling the case will obtain video footage from security cameras, and forensic investigators have already taken fingerprints from the house.

Baldock’s body showed no wounds or signs indicating any criminal activity. When the ambulance arrived, the footballer had already been retrieved from the pool by the police present at the scene. He was wearing his swimsuit, indicating that he was likely swimming when the tragic event occurred.

The technical director of Panathinaikos, Giannis Papadimitriou, and Giorgos Tzavellas, the director of the club’s football department and a former teammate on the Greek national team, arrived at the scene immediately. A crowd of teammates and team officials, such as Zeka, Senkefeld, Magnusson, Vilena, and Perez, gathered outside the residence, trying to comprehend the tragic event.

The news of George Baldock’s death plunged not only the Panathinaikos family but all of Greek football into mourning.

The international footballer, who had Greek roots from his father, fulfilled his dream of playing for the Greek national team and wore the national emblem in 12 official matches.

Είμαστε συγκλονισμένοι, είμαστε σοκαρισμένοι από την απώλεια του George μας. Η οικογένεια του Παναθηναϊκού θρηνεί για τον αδόκητο χαμό του. Στεκόμαστε στο πλευρό της οικογένειας και των οικείων του George Baldock. pic.twitter.com/7TO6tbi5zk

— Panathinaikos F.C. (@paofc_) October 9, 2024

His loss leaves a huge void in the team and among his friends, who are trying to find answers to how someone so young could be lost. The exact cause of his death will be determined following an autopsy by the coroner, while authorities are investigating the possibility of an accident or another sudden medical incident.

The Family’s Statement
In the early hours of Thursday, the family of George Baldock issued the following statement:
“We can confirm that George has unfortunately passed away. As a family, we are shocked by this terrible loss. We ask the media to respect our privacy at this time.”

Greek Football Bids Farewell to Baldock
The entire Greek football community and, more broadly, Greek sports have bid farewell to the international player with statements and messages on social media.

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

Hellenic Football Federation (EPO): “With deep sorrow and grief, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation 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 own, a young man. This moment calls for silence. Our condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye…”

Με βαθύτατη θλίψη και οδύνη, η Εθνική Ομάδα και η Ελληνική Ποδοσφαιρική Ομοσπονδία αποχαιρετά τον Τζορτζ Μπάλντοκ. Δεν υπάρχουν λόγια για να περιγραφεί ο ανθρώπινος πόνος που προκάλεσε η είδηση του αδόκητου χαμού ενός δικού μας, νέου, ανθρώπου. Η στιγμή επιβάλλει σιωπή.… pic.twitter.com/U1pLJAjI31

— Hellenic Football Federation (@HffEpo) October 9, 2024

The statement from the English Football Association: “We are heartbroken to learn of the death of George Baldock at the age of 31. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with George’s family, friends, and teammates at his club and country.”

Super League: “The entire football family of the Super League expresses its deep sorrow for the untimely loss of Panathinaikos player and our National Team member, George Baldock, and extends warm condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Σύσσωμη η ποδοσφαιρική οικογένεια της Super League εκφράζει τη βαθιά οδύνη της για την αδόκητη απώλεια του ποδοσφαιριστή του Παναθηναϊκού και της Εθνικής μας Ομάδας, Τζορτζ Μπάλντοκ και απευθύνει θερμά συλλυπητήρια στην οικογένεια και τους οικείους του.#slgr pic.twitter.com/ToE2kBMpZH

— Super League Greece (@Super_League_GR) October 9, 2024

Olympiacos: “The Olympiacos family shares the mourning for George Baldock. Courage and strength to his loved ones,” wrote the Piraeus club in a social media post.

Η οικογένεια του Ολυμπιακού συμμετέχει στο πένθος για τον Τζορτζ Μπάλντοκ. Κουράγιο και δύναμη στους οικείους του. pic.twitter.com/a1TfG3sitt

— Olympiacos FC (@olympiacosfc) October 10, 2024

PAOK: “The dramatic news of the death of a player, the star of Panathinaikos and the Greek National Team, George Baldock, is truly shocking, and words are inadequate to express our sorrow. PAOK expresses its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones and stands with them in their mourning. May the soil that covers him be light…”

Είναι πραγματικά συγκλονιστική η δραματική είδηση του θανάτου ενός αθλητή, του άσου του Παναθηναϊκού και της Εθνικής Ελλάδος, Τζορτζ Μπάλντοκ και τα λόγια φτώχα να εκφράσουν τη λύπη μας.

Η ΠΑΕ ΠΑΟΚ εκφράζει τα ειλικρινή της συλλυπητήρια στην οικογένεια και τους οικείους του και… pic.twitter.com/Af8VxTZCyv

— PAOK FC (@PAOK_FC) October 9, 2024

AEK: “The football family of AEK expresses its deep sorrow for the loss of our National Team player and Panathinaikos member, George Baldock, and extends warm condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Η ποδοσφαιρική οικογένεια της ΑΕΚ εκφράζει τη βαθιά οδύνη της για την απώλεια του ποδοσφαιριστή της Εθνικής μας ομάδας και του Παναθηναϊκού, Τζορτζ Μπάλντοκ και απευθύνει θερμά συλλυπητήρια στην οικογένεια και τους οικείους του. pic.twitter.com/QgrRbhc6CZ

— AEK F.C. (@AEK_FC_OFFICIAL) October 9, 2024

Asteras Tripolis: “The management and the entire family of ASTERAS AKTOR are devastated by the loss of the national team player and Panathinaikos member, George Baldock. We express our deep sorrow and sincere condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to the Panathinaikos family. Words are insufficient in the face of the loss of such a young man… Greek football mourns.”

Levadiakos: “PAE Levadiakos expresses its sincere condolences and sadness for the death of our National Team and Panathinaikos player, George Baldock. May the soil that covers him be light…”

Atromitos: “PAE Atromitos expresses its condolences for the loss of the international footballer of Panathinaikos, George Baldock. Courage to his family in these difficult times.”

PSAPP (the players’ union): “I wish it were a lie… I wish… PSAPP expresses its warmest condolences to the family and loved ones of George Baldock, who left this life so unfairly and prematurely. October 9, 2024, will now go down in history as a day of sadness and pain, and we all feel poorer. A huge ‘why’ remains unanswered… So, so unfair…”

KAE Panathinaikos: “The Panathinaikos family mourns the untimely loss of our club player, George Baldock, who passed away at the age of 31. KAE Panathinaikos AKTOR expresses its sorrow and sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Amateur Panathinaikos: “The Panathinaikos family mourns the loss of George Baldock.”

Panserraikos: “There are no words… Rest in peace, George.”

Paniwnios: “Words cannot express the sorrow of the untimely death of such a young person. Safe travels, George Baldock.”

Sheffield United: “Everyone at Sheffield United is shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the death of our former player, George Baldock. The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with fans, staff, and teammates who wore the red and white shirt alongside him. All those associated with Sheffield United extend their sincere condolences to George’s family and friends.”

England National Team: “We are very saddened by the death of George Baldock. George was close to many of our players and represented Greece—our opponents on Thursday night. We are thinking of George’s family, friends, and teammates in club and country during this difficult time.”

English Football Association (FA): “We are heartbroken to hear of the death of George Baldock at the age of 31. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with George’s family, friends, and teammates at his club and the National Team.”

All Premier League teams, as well as teams in lower divisions in England, also issued statements regarding Baldock’s passing.

Biography of George Baldock: From England to the Greek National Team
George Baldock was born on March 9, 1993, in Buckingham, England, and despite the difficult conditions and intense competition, he managed to establish himself in significant football tournaments, gaining eligibility to compete for the Greek National Team due to his Greek roots from his father’s side.

His grandmother was Greek, which connected him to Greek football and opened the door for him to the national representative team.