Tributes have been paid after the news that former MK Dons player George Baldock has died at the age of 31.

Baldock’s death was confirmed by the Greek Super League and the Greek FA on Wednesday (09/10) after reports emerged in local media in Greece that he had been found dead at his house in the suburbs of the Greek capital Athens.

The defender had joined Panathinaikos from Sheffield United in the summer, having left the South Yorkshire club seven years after joining the Blades from MK Dons.

In a statement shared to multiple media sources, the Greek Super League confirmed the news. They said, “The entire Super League football family expresses its deep sorrow for the untimely loss of Panathinaikos and our national team footballer, George Baldock, and extends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

MK Dons were among those who paid tribute to Baldock, who came through the club’s academy and made over 100 first-team appearances for the club.

In a statement, they said, “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.”

Other clubs that Baldock represented in his playing career have also paid tribute, as have other figures from across the football world.

Sheffield United were among those to pay tribute, with Baldock having joined the Blades from MK Dons in 2017 and helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and again in 2023.

The Blades said in a statement, “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.”

Oxford United, who Baldock joined on loan from MK Dons in two separate spells in 2015, said, “Oxford United Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock, aged 31. The sincere condolences of everyone associated with the Club are extended to James, Sam, his family, and friends.

Northampton Town, who Baldock represented on 5 occasions in 2011 in a loan spell, said, “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 on loan from MK Dons before playing for Oxford and Sheff Utd. Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family/friends.”

Reading, who Baldock’s brother Sam played for, said, “Everyone at Reading Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of George Baldock. A brother to former Royal Sam, our thoughts are with George’s family, friends and former colleagues at this difficult time.”

The EFL as a whole also paid tribute in their own social media statement. They said, “The EFL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of George Baldock, a player who made a lasting impact with spells across the League at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Northampton Town and MK Dons. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues.”

Tributes were also paid by the English and Greek FAs. Baldock had played for the Greece national team 12 times, having qualified to represent the nation through his grandmother, and the news of his death came the night before England were scheduled to play Greece in a UEFA Nations League game at Wembley Stadium in London.

The Hellenic Football Federation that represents Greece’s FA said, “With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely death of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family.”

The FA added, “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.”