George Baldock drowned in pool at his apartment in Greece, family says | Soccer

The previous Premier League footballer George Baldock “most probably” drowned within the pool of his seaside condominium in southern Athens, Greek authorities consider.

Police investigating the circumstances of the previous Sheffield United and Greece defender’s dying mentioned there was no suggestion of foul play “at the least at this stage of the inquiry”. In a press release, Baldock’s household added: “We are able to verify {that a} postmortem examination has discovered that George tragically drowned while swimming within the pool at his residence in Glyfada, Athens.”

A state-appointed coroner who performed an preliminary examination of Baldock’s physique on the condominium, lower than half an hour’s drive from the centre of Athens, reported no indicators of bruising or different wounds. Nevertheless it was unclear whether or not the 31-year-old was alone or if his dying had been triggered by “sudden collapse”.

The complete-back, who was born in England and had Greek roots on his father’s facet, qualifying for the nationwide workforce by a grandmother, moved to the Greek capital after signing for Panathinaikos in the summertime.

“He was discovered lifeless on the backside of the pool and pronounced useless at 22.38 final evening [Wednesday],” a police supply concerned within the inquiry instructed the Guardian. “All of the proof, to this point, factors to dying by drowning.”

The preliminary findings had been supported by the outcomes on Thursday of a postmortem performed on the College of Athens’ hospital mortuary.

Forensic scientists had been quoted as saying they believed Baldock had been useless “for 5 hours” earlier than his physique was found by the proprietor of the first-floor condominium, who jumped over a fence to entry the property. The person had been requested to search for the footballer by Baldock’s involved accomplice, who had remained in England with the couple’s younger son, after her repeated phone calls had gone unanswered.

Panathinaikos followers streamed to the Glyfada condominium constructing on Thursday to pay tribute, with many in a state of obvious shock. Baldock, who final performed for the workforce in opposition to their nice rivals Olympiakos within the Tremendous League on Sunday, had gained the respect of fellow gamers and was described as being “a lot cherished”.

A police investigation, launched inside minutes of his physique being found, is underneath method, with the condominium sealed off. “An investigation is now being carried out,” mentioned a senior police official, talking on situation of anonymity. “Witness statements have been taken from neighbours and photographs from CCTV cameras across the constructing shall be inspected. Was he alone? That’s the query all of us wish to reply.”

The Soccer Affiliation mentioned there could be a interval of silence earlier than Thursday’s Nations League match between England and Greece at Wembley, and that gamers of each side would put on black armbands.

“It’s inconceivable for us to consider that our beloved good friend, and teammate, George, is now not with us,” the Greece gamers mentioned in assertion posted underneath a gaggle image with him on X. “Our ache is indescribable. Tonight we will attempt to attain the energy of his soul, which was a shining instance to all of us. Our ideas are together with his household. We are going to always remember you, good friend.”

Baldock’s household mentioned: “We’re heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George. George, you had been essentially the most particular father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, good friend, teammate and individual. Your enthusiasm and infectious character introduced a lot love to people who had been lucky sufficient to know you and those who adored you from the stands.

“We are going to without end cherish the particular recollections now we have of you and you’ll proceed to dwell on in your lovely son. You had been attributable to fly residence at the moment for us to have fun his first birthday collectively, however as an alternative we mourn your loss.

“As a household it has been extremely touching, however equally so very tough to learn the massive variety of tributes written by those who knew George and from these whose life he touched. It was inconceivable to not love him. We ask that you just please proceed to respect our privateness at this devastating time as we start to course of our grief.”