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Ex-Prem star died in pool day before he was due to fly home for son's birthday

Ex-Prem star died in pool day before he was due to fly home for son's birthday

Former Premier League footballer George Baldock tragically drowned in the swimming pool at his Athens residence just one day before he was scheduled to return home for his son's first birthday, an inquest into his death has revealed. Baldock, 31, was discovered dead in the Greek capital where he was playing for Panathinaikos.
The ex-Sheffield United defender had no substances or alcohol in his system and there was no indication of foul play, the court in Buckinghamshire was informed. His death has been classified as accidental.
The inquest also revealed that Baldock had an enlarged heart 'that would have meant that he was susceptible to heart arrythmias' - an irregular heartbeat, either too fast or too slow.
Baldock had played a club fixture just three days before the incident. His worried fiancee raised the alarm after failing to contact him, before the owner of the house he was living him found his body in the pool.
Despite attempts to resuscitate him, Baldock could not be saved. "George, you were the most special father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, team-mate and person," his family said in a statement.
"Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands.
"We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son."
Baldock came through the youth ranks at MK Dons and played 125 times for the club over an eight-year period, scoring twice and winning their player of the season award in 2015-16.
He had loan spells at Northampton, Tamworth and Oxford while with the Dons, but he made his name at Bramall Lane after moving to Sheffield United in 2017.
In seven years with the Blades, he established himself as a fan favourite scoring six times from right-back in 219 appearances. He helped United to the Premier League twice, finishing runners-up in the Championship in both 2018-19 and 2022-23.
Baldock left for Panathinaikos in the summer of 2024 and played just four times for his new club before the tragic incident.
He qualified to play for Greece through his grandmother and made his debut in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in June 2022. In all, he would earn 12 senior caps.
Greece played against England at Wembley the day after his death with the match going ahead despite his grief-stricken teammates only learning of his passing the previous night.
Tributes were paid before the game which Greece won 2-1. Baldock's shirt was held aloft after their first goal and following the full-time whistle.
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