Ex-Premier League star ‘drowned in pool in Greece on day before he was due to fly back to UK for son's first birthday'
Advertisement
3
George Baldock drowned in his pool in Athens
Credit: PA
A coroner today ruled the death of the 31-year-old, who had previously played for MK Dons and
Sheffield
United, was an accident.
The inquest in Buckinghamshire was told no evidence of criminal activity was found by Greek police.
A post mortem also found no drugs or
alcohol
in his system, with his cause of death given as drowning.
It also showed Baldock had a very large heart "that would have meant that he was susceptible to heart arrythmias" - meaning his heart beat too fast or slow.
Advertisement
Read more news
The court heard the defender had played a club fixture just three days before the
horror
.
Baldock had also tragically been due to fly home to the UK the following day to celebrate his son's first birthday.
Previous reports said his worried partner had raised the alarm after she struggled to track him down.
The owner of the house in the Glyfada area of Athens then discovered Baldock in the
pool
.
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Attempts were made to resuscitate the footballer but tragically he couldn't be saved.
His family said: "George, you were the most special father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, team-mate and person.
"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."
Advertisement
Although he was born in England, Baldock played for
Greece
12 times through his nan's heritage.
After graduating from MK Dons' youth academy, he had stints at
Oxford
United, Tamworth and
Northampton
Town.
Baldock moved to
He earned the nickname Furious George due to his aggressive all-action style.
Advertisement
The footballer left the club in 2024 to sign for Panathinaikos, where he made four appearances before his tragic death.
Tributes flooded in for Baldock following the horror, including from
He posted a picture of Baldock on his Instagram page with a broken heart emoji.
Panathinaikos said in a statement: "We are shocked by the loss of our George.
Advertisement
"The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock."
While Sheffield United said: "Sheffield United
Football
Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.
"The defender left the club in the
summer
after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him.
"The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George's family and friends."
Advertisement
3
Baldock had moved to Athens to play for Panathinaikos
Credit: EPA
3
He had played for the Greece national team
Credit: AP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Liverpool 2 AC Milan 4: Florian Wirtz makes debut but Reds comfortably beaten with comical late mistake
LIVERPOOL suffered their first defeat of pre-season as they were run ragged by AC Milan in Hong Kong. To make matters worse, 7 Rafael Leao starred for AC Milan as they beat Liverpool Credit: Getty 7 Dominik Szoboszlai did grab a goal for Liverpool Credit: Getty Noah Okafor latched on to a sloppy pass from Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas to tap into an empty net. The goal was the forward's second of the match as the Serie A giants dumped four goals past the Premier League champions. The match was played in front of a crowd of 40,704 fans who paid tribute to Diogo Jota before kick-off. Flowers were laid by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish in front of fans, who responded by holding up a mosaic spelling out "DJ20" in honour of Jota's number 20 shirt, which has been retired by the club. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL The impressive Rafael Leao netted the Italian's opening goal after a dazzling run. The winger ran half of the pitch before slamming his effort past Alisson. Dominik Szoboslai did level the match for the Reds in the 26th minute. The midfielder curled an effort into the top corner of the Milan net from the edge of the box. Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN However, the second half saw Milan put themselves out of sight of Slot's men. Leao was in the centre of the action again as his slick footwork allowed him to set up former Darwin Nunez performs tragic Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota's celebration after scoring in first game since his death 7 Kostas Tsimikas played a sloppy pass in the dying moments Credit: viaplay 7 Noah Okafor was able to beat Giorgi Mamardashvili to the loose ball Credit: viaplay 7 And he tapped home into an empty goal Credit: viaplay The midfielder made no mistake from close range to restore Milan's lead in the 52nd minute. Liverpool gave themselves a glimmer of hope of rescuing a draw as But those hopes were rubbed out within a minute as Slot's side capitulated, allowing Milan to net their fourth of the game. 7 Florian Wirtz made his debut for Liverpool Credit: AFP 7 Exit linked Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz were not selected Credit: Reuters The match did see Slot's squad has also lost a bit of depth as defender Joe Gomez has flown home from the tour in the Far East. The centre-back is travelling with a believed injured Achilles. Forwards summer . Liverpool will now fly to Japan to face Yokohama F-Marinos on Wednesday.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Eddie Howe: Newcastle have not held contract talks with Alexander Isak
Eddie Howe has revealed no contract talks have been held with Alexander Isak, but hopes to keep the striker at Newcastle. Isak has been at the centre of transfer speculation during the summer window. The 25-year-old did not travel on the pre-season tour of Asia, with the club stating that he missed out due to a 'minor thigh injury'. Hours later, reports emerged that Isak – who has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks – had told club executives he wanted to explore the possibility of a transfer away from St James' Park. Isak has been offered a staggering £600,000-a-week tax-free deal by Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Isak missed Newcastle's first pre-season fixture against Celtic last weekend and before their friendly against Arsenal on Sunday, Howe provided an update on the striker's situation. 'There's things going on behind the scenes. He will be aware he's in the news every day and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone,' the Newcastle manager said. 'Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private. We do share a really good relationship with him. He's been magnificent for us since he's joined. He's very popular in the dressing room and we'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle.' Howe said there are no contract talks taking place with Isak, who has three years left on his existing deal. 'That'll be for a later date. 'With the situation as it is and the state of the window, in the sense that it's hurtling towards the end of the window very quickly from our perspective, there's still so much that could happen.' Howe confirmed that Isak is in Newcastle being assessed, adding on the club's website: 'With his injury, I've got no major update on that. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game and we assumed it would a be very minimal injury, nothing too serious. 'Then on the Monday after the Celtic game, he went in from training very early, didn't feel right, so he's now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed. Hopefully he'll be back soon playing in the black and white shirt. That's what we all want to see.' Isak joined Newcastle in August 2022. The Sweden forward scored 27 goals last season as Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup and secured Champions League football by finishing fifth in the Premier League.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Only one name' – Rio Ferdinand tells Ruben Amorim to forget Sesko and names Prem star Man Utd must ‘break the bank' for
RIO FERDINAND has told Ruben Amorim to ditch plans for a striker and instead break the bank for Brighton's rising star Carlos Baleba. The former Manchester United legend believes his old club should focus on shoring up their midfield rather than splashing out on RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko . 5 Rio Ferdinand thinks there is a clever way United can use their money and get goals in the team Credit: Alamy 5 United have already signed Cunha and Mbeumo but they're not true number 9s Credit: Getty 5 Ferdinand thinks Baleba has everything to be an absolute super star Credit: Rex Despite the Slovenian striker being linked with a move to Old Trafford and sparking interest from With United's frontline struggling last season – Rasmus Højlund and The Red Devils have already invested heavily in attack, bringing in But neither Cunha nor Mbeumo play as a traditional No 9, leading many to question whether Sesko would be the right fit. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Ferdinand isn't sold on the idea of spending big on the young forward who are not Premier League proven. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 46-year-old said: "I'm not really doubting [Sesko] as a player. I'm saying Man United need experience at the top of the pitch. "They've got Hojlund, Zirkzee, and Chido – they're young and inexperienced. "They need someone who can show them how to lead the line at the highest level. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "Do we really want to gamble on a player who's still raw?" Instead of Sesko, Ferdinand's attention has turned to the engine room, with the former defender tipping Baleba as the perfect fit for the Premier League giants. On the Cameroonian midfielder who "If it were me, I'd splash the cash on Baleba. "He's got the energy, the legs, the tactical awareness – everything you need to dominate midfield.' The 21-year-old Cameroonian midfielder was a key figure in Brighton's midfield last season, making 34 appearances after joining the Seagulls from Lille for £26 million. His all-action style and ability to drive the ball forward have made him one of the most exciting young talents in the league. Ferdinand continued: 'Baleba is exactly what United need – a box-to-box "He's got Premier League experience, and he'll free up other midfielders to focus on attacking. He'll have a massive impact on this squad.' 5 5 United manager Amorim is under pressure to improve on last season's 15th-place finish Credit: Getty Given Baleba's impressive rise, Ferdinand believes United should go all in to secure him, rather than risk spending big on an unproven forward like Sesko. He added: ' If I've got the money, I'm going for Baleba every day of the week." United are currently in the U.S where their continuing their pre-season games with one interesting game against There is an injury boost update in the team after goalkeeper Andre Onana who picked up an injury just after returning from his holidays responding to treatmnet and likely to return sooner than later.
