Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder releases emotional tribute to George Baldock following shock death
"Everybody is just stunned, and numb. It's just tragic."
Last updated 11th Oct 2024
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has released an emotional tribute to former player George Baldock, following his shock death at the age of 31.
The Greek international was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens on Wednesday night, after moving from the club this summer.
In a video released via the club's social media pages, Wilder said "everybody at the club is just stunned, and numb".
"He was a pleasure to manage"
Baldock was part of Wilder's squad that finished ninth in the Premier League in 2020, and helped them to two Premier League promotions.
Wilder said: "how I wanted it to look, how staff wanted it to look, how Sheffield United fans wanted their club to look... George just epitomised everything. On the pitch and off the pitch, he was a humble person."
Wilder also praised Baldock's skill, saying "I remember the battles he had on the pitch. He used to make me smile, one day it was Wilf Zaha, then it was Raheem Sterling. The next week it was Jack Grealish."
"All these absolute top draw players, he saw them off, game by game. He respected them, but when the whistle blew, he was after them."
"He was a pleasure to manage".
Club and Greek national team pay tribute following "terrible loss"
Baldock's family said in a statement they were "in shock at this terrible loss" and called for the media to respect their privacy.
The Blades paid tribute to Baldock, who spent seven seasons at Bramall Lane including three in the Premier League.
"Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock," a club statement posted on social media read.
"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."
Baldock was first called up to play for Greece in 2022 when Gus Poyet coached them, after being eligible to represent them through his grandmother.
A statement from the Greek national team said: "There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our own, young, man. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family."
Buckingham-born Baldock progressed through the academy at MK Dons before joining United in 2017, and they also paid tribute to their former player.
Dons head coach Scott Lindsey said in a video posted on social media: "All our thoughts go to his family. It's really, really sad news.
"I had the pleasure of coaching George myself. He came to Tamworth on loan from MK Dons and I was the assistant manager at the time and you could see he was going to have a really bright future in the game.
"And, of course, he did. He went on to play at the top level and was outstanding throughout his career.
"It's really sad news. All our thoughts from the football club go to his family and friends."