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Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool at his rented villa in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old athlete, who had recently joined Greek club Panathinaikos, was discovered unresponsive after his partner in the UK raised concerns when unable to reach him by phone.
Local authorities have released details of Baldock's final hours. The defender had participated in a routine training session with Panathinaikos on Wednesday morning, just days after playing in a heated 0-0 draw against rivals Olympiacos. Police sources indicate he may have been deceased for up to five hours before being found at approximately 10:30 PM local time.
A medical examiner, arriving at the scene in the exclusive Glyfada suburb, noted no signs of external injuries but observed indicators consistent with drowning. The Athens broadsheet Kathimerini reports that preliminary autopsy results cite "drowning in water" as the cause of death, with toxicology results pending.
The footballer's family expressed their devastation in a statement: "We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss." His former club, Sheffield United, where he spent seven successful seasons, described him as "extremely popular with supporters, staff, and teammates."
The incident prompted an immediate response from the soccer community. Panathinaikos team officials, including manager Diego Alonso and technical director Yiannis Papadimitriou, gathered at the property alongside several players. Police have ruled out criminal activity, with a spokesperson stating, "A forensic pathologist examined the body with no evidence of criminal activity. The police searched the house to determine if there were any signs of burglary with a negative result."
Baldock, affectionately nicknamed 'Furious George' by Sheffield United fans for his competitive spirit, had made a significant impact in English football before his move to Greece. Despite being born in Buckinghamshire, he had represented Greece internationally 12 times, qualifying through his grandmother.
As investigations continue, Greek authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the property to confirm Baldock was alone during the incident. The soccer community mourns the loss of a player remembered for his uncompromising style and dedication to the sport.
