Dele Alli and Dean Henderson lead mourners at George Baldock’s funeral in Milton Keynes… three weeks after defender was found dead aged 31 in a a pool at his home
Dele Alli and Dean Henderson lead mourners at George Baldock’s funeral on Wednesday afternoon.
The former Sheffield United star – born in England but played international football for Greece since 2022 – was found dead in a swimming pool at his home near Athens on October 9.
He has played for Panathinaikos since joining the 20-time Greek champions from the Blades in May.
A funeral was held for Baldock in Milton Keynes on Wednesday afternoon.
Baldock has made more than 400 appearances in English football and until this summer spent seven seasons at Sheffield United, winning two promotions with the Blades.
Baldock was found unconscious in his swimming pool after his partner, who was in Britain, reportedly raised the alarm because he was not answering his phone.
Police are investigating the drowning of the 31-year-old recovered CCTV footage showing him swimming in the pool of his Greek luxury apartment. Sources said he was swimming vigorously before suddenly stopping and then sinking.
CCTV from a neighboring property captured half of the pool and showed him entering the water at around 6.45pm, hours before his body was found.
Baldock’s family released a statement revealing that the footballer was due to fly home to celebrate his son’s first birthday but that they are now ‘mourning his loss’.
In tribute, they said: “You were the most special father, fiancée, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person.
“Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those who were fortunate enough to know you and those who adored you from the stands.”
The family went on to say that “it was impossible not to love him,” as they asked the public for privacy during this “devastating time.”
England and Greece paid emotional tribute to Baldock ahead of their Nations League match at Wembley earlier this month.
Players from both teams observed a minute’s silence before the match at Wembley.
A shirt with Baldock’s name was held up by the Greek national team as part of the moving tribute before kick-off.
The scene where Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens, Greece
Baldock lived in this building in the Greek capital after moving to club giant Panathinaikos
The footballer moved to Greek club Panathinaikos and was found dead in his swimming pool
Born in Buckinghamshire, Baldock made more than 400 appearances in English football, but earned 12 caps for Greece after qualifying through his grandmother.
Earlier this month, the Greek Football Federation said: ‘It is with deep sadness and pain that the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock.
“There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence.
‘Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye’.
Panathinaikos also paid tribute, writing: “We are overwhelmed, we are shocked by the loss of our George. Panathinaikos’ family mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and relatives of George Baldock.”
Sheffield United posted on
Earlier this month, tributes were paid to ex-Sheffield United star Baldock outside Bramall Lane
Baldock was known as ‘Starman’ by supporters who sang tributes to him at matches to the tune of the David Bowie hit
‘The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was hugely popular with supporters, staff and teammates who donned a red and white shirt alongside him.
“The sincere condolences from everyone involved with Sheffield United go out to George’s family and friends.”
His boyhood club, MK Dons, said they were ‘devastated’ when they heard the news, in an emotional post saying he ‘will always be one of our own’.