Image source, Getty Images

George Baldock came through the youth ranks at MK Dons before going on loan to five clubs, the first being Northampton Town, who were then in League Two.

The club has 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."

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George Baldock's older brother Sam played for Brighton from 2014–2018 and the 35-year-old is now a development coach with the Seagulls.

Brighton said: "We are shocked to learn of the passing of George Baldock at the age of 31. Our love and condolences are with George’s brother and our colleague Sam, and his family and friends at this time."

Sam left for Reading, who added: "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."

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Rival clubs and some who George Baldock didn't even represent have also paid tributes.

Sheffield Wednesday said: "Absolutely heartbreaking news. Our sincere condolences are with George’s family, friends and former colleagues on and off the pitch at Sheffield United. RIP George."

Derby County added: "Everyone at Derby County is deeply saddened by the passing of George Baldock. The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with his brother and former Derby striker Sam, his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

Oxford United fan Kevin Spackman: "Whenever you hear the sentence ‘never fall in love with a loan signing’ all Oxford fans think instantly of George Baldock, he was an absolute delight to watch in a time when many Oxford fans fell back in love with the team."

Oxford United

Image source, Getty Images

George Baldock began his career with MK Dons and had two loan spells at Oxford United between February 2015 and January 2016.

The club it 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."

George's brother Sam ended his playing career with the Us before becoming a business development analyst at the club, while his other brother James was Oxford's club doctor.

Nikos Papanikolaou
BBC News

The initial findings of the coroner have determined that George Baldock's death was from pathological causes that led to his drowning.

The time of death is placed yesterday, between 19:00 and 20:00 (local time). His body was found at 22:30.

The sad news broke last night that Panathinaikos and former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has passed away at the age of 31.

As we have been sharing with you this morning, many tributes have been paid to the Greece international.

We would like to hear from you so please feel free to share your tributes and favourite memories of George. You can get in touch via the usual details above.

The Bladesman posted on X: "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."

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Oli McBurnie, who played with George Baldock for five years at Sheffield United: "I genuinely can’t believe you have gone brother, I feel sick. One of the best people I’ve ever met, you were loved by everyone you came across. My heart is broken for your beautiful little family. Sleep well GB, I love you mate."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City winger James McAtee, who was on loan at Sheffield United in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, has also paid tribute to his former team-mate.

The 21-year-old wrote: "I love you to bits brother, thank you for looking after me and also thank you for the memories that we shared together. Thoughts go out to your amazing family. Special player, special teammate, special person."

Sheffield United

George Baldock's former club Sheffield United on X: "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."

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter in Athens

I am in Athens to attend the European Clubs’ Association general assembly and, as he opened the final day, Ioannis Vroutsis - Greece's alternate minister of education, religious affairs and sports - paid tribute to George Baldock.

"I would like to express my condolences and deep sadness at the tragic loss of footballer, George Baldock, who came from England to Greece," he said.

"It was a tragic loss. We are deeply hurt. I would like to express my sympathies to his family."

There has also been many tributes today from fans of the various clubs George Baldock played for, here is a select few.

Dave Ward: "Absolutely devastated, a man who gave everything to Sheffield United, always had time for everyone, a special man a starman, the world has lost diamond of a man."

Alex Packard: "Truly devastated, feels like I've lost a mate, even though I never met him. Wore the shirt with pride & never gave anything less than 100%, a true Blade and legend. One of my all time favourite players. Condolences to his family & friends. RIP George Baldock, our starman."

JW: "He just understood what it meant - he was all of us out on the pitch. 100% always and by all accounts a truly decent human being to match. Can only imagine the pain his friends and family are going through. A true legend - RIP George."

Image source, Getty Images

Greece have asked to wear black armbands at Wembley later and during Sunday's Nations League game at home to the Republic of Ireland.

Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock, who earned 12 caps for Greece, has died at the age of 31.

England

Image source, Reuters

Harry Kane will not be fit to start England's Nations League match against Greece at Wembley, says interim manager Lee Carsley, while Jack Grealish also is a doubt.

England and Greece are both on six points from two games in Group B2, having beaten the Republic of Ireland and Finland last month.

Record England goalscorer and captain Kane went off in Bayern Munich's last game against Eintracht Frankfurt.

"Harry is nursing an injury - a small knock, something we won’t take a chance with," said Carsley, who added that Manchester City defender John Stones will captain the side.

"It’s a brilliant achievement for John, something he deserves," said under-21s boss Carsley.

Stones said: "[It's] definitely everything that I could have dreamed of as kid - for my family to see me walk out as England captain is a special moment.

"[It's] one that I can’t thank Lee enough for. It was a great conversation we had last night and one that I was speechless in."

Carsley said Stones' Manchester City team-mate Grealish "picked up a slight knock" on Tuesday, adding that "we will assess Jack later. We wouldn’t gamble with any of the players."

The Daily Mail

Today's Mail reports that Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham may play as a striker during England's game with Greece later as Lee Carsley said on Wednesday that the Three Lions' record goalscorer Harry Kane is not fit enough to start at Wembley.

Image source, Daily Mail

Manchester City

Today's Star mentions the comments from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on throwing the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel during their action-packed draw in the Premier League last month.

Speaking before Norway's Nations League game with Slovenia later, Haaland said: "It was in the heat of the moment and a lot of stuff happened in that game.

"Things that happen on the pitch stay there and that's how it is."

Asked if he regrets the incident, Haaland added: "I don’t regret much in life."

Image source, Reuters

The Daily Star

Today's Star leads on those comments by John Stones on England's interim boss Lee Carsley.

Image source, Daily Star

England

Manchester City defender John Stones says he can see City boss Pep Guardiola in England interim manager Lee Carsley's approach to the game.

Carsley took over from Gareth Southgate on a temporary basis in the summer and won his opening two games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League.

The victories were based on an attacking approach and Stones, who will captain England for the first time against Greece later, says he can see Guardiola's style in Carsley.

"Everyone has got their own unique style and I think there are similarities throughout every manager in what they want," said Stones on Wednesday.

"There are a lot of similarities between Lee and Pep in how they see the game and how they want us to play and I think we saw that last month when we played the two games and obviously got positive results from them.

"It's been great for me with the likenesses of how we play. They do a lot of research on us as players and as teams and see how we play at our clubs and try to bring that in and make it as easy as possible for us as players to gel together and move forward in one direction."

Image source, PA Media

Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is expected to be out until at least mid-November with a hamstring injury.

The Brazil international was hurt in the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and was replaced by Vitezslav Jaros after 79 minutes.

Liverpool do not expect Alisson to be back before the next international break, which takes place 11-19 November following a round of league games.

Prior to that, the Premier League leaders face top-flight matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa, while they play RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

Caoimhin Kelleher missed the game at Palace because of illness but is expected to replace Alisson in goal.