Harry Maguire leads tributes to George Baldock after the ex-Sheffield United defender dies aged 31 at his home in Greece

Harry Maguire has paid tribute to former Sheffield United star George Baldock after he was found dead at his home in Greece on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old made over 400 appearances in English football and spent seven years with the Blades, twice earning promotion to the Premier League, before joining Greek side Panathinaikos this summer.

In a post on Instagram, Maguire shared a photo of Baldock with the caption ‘RIP’ accompanied by a broken heart emoji.

Sheffield United paid tribute to their former player with a post on their official X account.

‘Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock. 

Tributes have poured in from across the football world following the death of George Baldock

Harry Maguire shared a photo of the former Sheffield United defender to his Instagram story

The pair faced off against each other on many occasions, including this 2018 FA Cup clash

‘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 began his career at MK Dons alongside his brother Sam, and he went on to make 125 appearances in all competitions for the club.

The Dons shared their condolences following Baldock’s passing on Wednesday.

‘We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock. 

‘George started his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior career debut at the Club before reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years. 

‘Everyone affiliated with MK Dons shares a great love for George, Sam and the Baldock family, and we would like to share our sincerest condolences during these awful times. 

‘You will always be one of our own, George.’ 

After making his senior debut for his boyhood club, Baldock spent part of the 2011-12 campaign on loan at Northampton and the club shared their condolences on social media.

The Blades paid tribute to the ‘extremely popular’ star following his untimely passing

Baldock graduated from MK Dons’ academy alongside his brother Sam and went on to make 125 appearances for the club

Northampton also shared their condolences after Baldock enjoyed a spell on loan at the club during his early career

It read: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31. 

‘George made 5 appearances in 2011 before playing for Oxford United and Sheffield United. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family and friends.’

A Sheffield United supporter on social media wrote: ‘Just been sat watching the George Baldock news unfold. Speechless. Heartbroken. 

‘A fantastic footballer and a brilliant man who understood what it meant to be a Blade. A Sheffield United legend and a hero to a generation of Blades. RIP starman.’

Baldock was an integral component of Chris Wilder’s side that stormed into the top flight after finishing second in the Championship the previous season.

The full-back was one of only three players to start all 38 of the Blades’ league games in the 2019-20 campaign as they finished ninth, just five points off the European places.

Baldock also won 12 senior caps for Greece, having qualified to represent the former European Champions through his grandmother.

Baldock earned 12 caps for Greece after being handed his debut by then-boss Gus Poyet

England paid tribute to Baldock ahead of their clash with Greece at Wembley on Thursday

England are set to play host to Greece in a Nations League clash on Thursday and the Three Lions shared their tribute to Baldock online. 

‘We’re extremely saddened by the passing of George Baldock. George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night.

‘We’re thinking of George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time.’