ENGLAND and Greece stars have come together in an emotional minute’s silence to pay tribute to the late George Baldock.
The former Sheffield United star, 31, died earlier this week after being found to have drowned in his swimming pool at his home in Athens.
Greek media report Baldock was found by the owner of the property after his concerned wife raised the alarm when she was unable to contact him.
He was later found dead, with an initial autopsy confirming he had drowned.
Baldock played against and alongside some of the England stars during his time at Sheffield United.
Dean Henderson, named on the bench for the Three Lions tonight, starred alongside Baldock at Bramall Lane.
He had been a Blades star from 2017 before leaving for Athens outfit Panathinaikos this summer.
England and Greece stars held a minutes silence ahead of their Nations League clash tonight.
Pundits on ITV paid tribute Baldock ahead of the game on live TV.
Ian Wright said: “Terrible news, shocking news. You cannot help but think about his friends and family, I spoke to Karl Robinson [former MK Dons manager] last night who was devastated.
“He was hard-working and strong minded, You always thought, the way he applied himself, he was always going to get to where he wanted to go in the Premier League.
“I’m very sorry and all my condolences go to his family.”
The Arsenal and England legend worked alongside Baldock during a coaching stint MK Dons, where the British-born Greece international graduated through the academy.
Manchester United and Republic of Ireland icon Roy Keane added: “They will be shocked. I remember him at Sheffield United. He had huge energy and was always up for a battle.
“The players will react, be professional and go and put on a performance for him.”
Baldock’s family are said to have been left “shocked” by the tragic news.
By Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports Reporter
IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.
A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.
But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…
That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.
And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.
Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.
The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.
However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.
Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.
It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.
Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.
I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.
Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.
A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’
“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.
“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.
“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.
“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”
It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.
The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.
The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.
Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.
“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”
Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.
He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.
He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.
But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.
A family statement released on Wednesday night said: “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.”
Greece asked for permission from Uefa for both teams to wear black armbands for the Wembley clash.
Baldock has last played for Greece in March, and had only starred for his club last Sunday.
Tribute was also paid to Lord Herman Ouseley, who died last week at the age of 79.
He was a key figure in battling racism in football with the foundation of Kick It Out.
