Ljubitelje nogometa je pretresla novica o smrti 31-letnega Georgea Baldocka, ki je pred to sezono prestopil v Panathinaikos. V Angliji rojenega nogometaša, ki je zaradi grških korenin sicer nastopal za Grčijo ter zbral 12 nastopov za reprezentanco, so našli mrtvega v bazenu na njegovem domu v južnem predelu Aten.
"Izražamo globoko žalost ob prerani smrti Georgea Baldocka, nogometaša Panathinaikosa in naše izbrane vrste. Izrekamo globoko sožalje družini in njegovim bližnjim," so zapisali pri najmočnejši grški ligi.
Baldock je pred le tremi dnevi zaigral tudi na velikem grškem derbiju proti Olympiacosu, ko se je dvoboj končal brez zadetkov. V prvi enajsterici mu je družbo delal tudi slovenski reprezentant Adam Gnezda Čerin, v igro pa je kasneje vstopil še Andraž Šporar. Član grškega velikana je tudi Benjamin Verbič.
Žalostna vest zelo odmeva tudi na Otoku, še zlasti med privrženci Sheffield Uniteda, barve slednjega je Baldock branil preteklih sedem let.
"Branilec je klub zapustil poleti po sedmih letih igranja na Bramall Lanu. Bil je izjemno popularen med navijači, zaposlenimi v klubu in soigralci. Iskreno sožalje Georgevi družini in prijateljem izrekamo vsi, ki smo povezani s klubom," so zapisali pri nekdanjem premierligašu.
Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 9, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/OlDsn0lFpB
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.
— The Bladesman (@The_Bladesman) October 9, 2024
RIP starman.
⚔️❤️#twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/eS32wIxcbW
We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock.
— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) October 9, 2024
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… pic.twitter.com/pNF4DR3jxl
We are shocked to learn of the passing of George Baldock at the age of 31.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 9, 2024
Our love and condolences are with George’s brother and our colleague Sam, and his family and friends at this time. 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/H41Ww18Zki
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