Panathinaikos defender George Baldock was found dead aged 31

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Panathinaikos defender George Baldock, a former Greece international who also played for Sheffield United for seven seasons, was found dead at his home in Athens, Greek media reported. He was 31.

State television ERT said Baldock's body was found late Wednesday in his swimming pool in the southern suburb of Glyfada. The cause of death was not initially clear.

British-born Baldock was called up for Greece in 2022 and played 12 games, the last in March when Greece lost on penalties to Georgia in the Euro 2024 playoffs.

He wasn't there Greece squad for Thursday's UEFA Nations League game against England.

Baldock joined Sheffield United in 2017 and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League twice, in 2019 and 2023. He joined Panathinaikos on a three-year contract in May after Sheffield United were relegated to the English second division again.

“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the death of former player George Baldock,” the English club said on social media. “The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with fans, staff and team-mates who wore a red and white jersey alongside him.”

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