Tributes have poured in for George Baldock after his tragic passing at the age of 31 on Wednesday.

The England-born Greece international was found dead in his swimming pool at his house in Athens on Wednesday.

George Baldock has died at age 31Getty

It has triggered an outpouring of emotional tributes at Bramall LaneGetty

A family statement read: “We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss. We ask please that the media respect our privacy at this time.”

A 12-time Greece international, Baldock had just moved to the Greek Super League in the summer with Panathinaikos, having spent the past seven years in England with Sheffield United.

Baldock was part of the team that twice achieved Premier League promotion, and he left with 219 appearances to his name.

Prince Abdullah, who has owned the Blades for the past 11 years and therefore the entirety of Baldock’s tenure, was in an emotional state when he joined talkSPORT to give his thoughts on the loss.

“This is a really, really tough one to take, and if it’s tough for me and for his teammates and the fans imagine how tough it is for his family,” he said. 

“He was respected by everyone, a true gentleman on and off the field, he had everything you’d love about a Sheffield United player and I’m very, very sad. Extremely sad.

“He was hard working, he was a very good player, he gave his all, he was honest, I don’t know if we had a better character or a better player during the time I’ve owned the club in these 11 years. 

“My thoughts are with his family, I saw the news just before I boarded a flight and the whole flight I was thinking about him.”

When asked about a tribute for Bladock before United’s next match, the Prince added: “It goes without saying, but I don’t know if anything would be enough to explain or show how we feel and how huge this loss is. 

“My heart goes to his family and the people close to him, we had many special players but I can tell you without hesitation that he was one of the most respected, the most loved and he was really a great player and great man.”

Baldock only just moved to Greece earlier this yearAFP

He added: “Everybody who knew him loved him. I’m very proud to have known him and that he played for Sheffield United when I was owner.

“It is devastating news for myself, my family and the whole Sheffield United family.”

Before his time at Bramall Lane, Baldock was best known for his time with MK Dons where he graduated from the club’s academy and became a professional.

The club’s former chairman and owner, Pete Winkelman, also joined talkSPORT to pay tribute.

“We’re absolutely devastated, anybody that’s had anything to do with the club is,” he said. 

“George has probably been the most successful player at MK Dons. The Baldocks are a fantastic family, he elder brother Sam was our first million pound footballer and even his brother is a doctor at Oxford, they’re absolutely ensconced in football and I don’t know how you get through any of this. 

“We’re absolutely horrified and the shock is beyond. I’m absolutely sure that we will be paying tribute on Saturday, obviously I’ll be there as will a lot of our supporters that watched George as a child all the way through. 

“We’ve been so proud of his achievements and I have to say the news is absolutely unbelievable and I don’t think anyone is getting their heads around it. He was 31 years old and an absolutely fantastic human being and individual.”

Former MK Dons assistant coach, John Gorman, also added his thoughts, having been at the club when Baldock broke through.

“I couldn’t believe it really. I worked with him at MK Dons too and as an individual I used to spend a lot of time with him,” he began. “What a wonderful guy, I just wanted to pay tribute. I worked with Sam as well, his brother, two smashing kids, a great family.

“I was so proud of him to be picked for Greece even though he emerged in England and was brought up here, his Granny was from Greece. 

“He was just such a smashing young player and was so dedicated. I kept in touch with him and Chris Wilder, me and him kept in touch talking about George all the time when he was at Sheffield. 

“I always wished him well and I was so proud when he got in the Premier League so I just wanted to say some nice things about him really because he was so dedicated. 

“He used to tire me out, I was ready for retirement but every game George gave me a bit extra in training just to try and improve him.”

England and Greece will both pay tribute during the UEFA Nations League match on Thursday night by wearing black armbands and holding a minute’s silence.