Ian Wright delivers emotional tribute to George Baldock after Greece star's tragic death

George Baldock, who tragically died connected Wednesday aged 31, played for MK Dons during Ian Wright's spell coaching astatine the nine and the ex-Arsenal striker has paid tribute

Ian Wright delivered an affectional tribute to the precocious George Baldock, who tragically died aged 31 connected Wednesday.

Former Sheffield United defender Baldock was recovered dormant astatine his location successful Greece, wherever helium played for autochthonal giants Panathinaikos and represented their nationalist team. A post-mortem confirmed that the 31-year-old died aft drowning successful his swimming pool, wherever helium was recovered by his landlord connected Wednesday night.

Wright coached Baldock during his younker astatine MK Dons and portion appearing connected ITV up of England's clash with Greece astatine Wembley, wherever tributes were paid pre-match, the Arsenal fable spoke eloquently. "Terrible news, shocking news," Wright said, speaking to presenter Mark Pougatch.

"In this time, you cannot assistance but deliberation astir his friends and his family, obviously. I spoke to [former MK Dons manager] Karl Robinson past night, helium was devastated himself. It was a existent blow. [He was] hard-working, determined, helium was idiosyncratic that you ever thought, the mode helium applied himself, helium was astir apt gonna get to wherever helium wanted to go, which was the Premier League. I'm precise atrocious and each my condolences spell to his family."

Fellow ITV pundit Roy Keane past hailed Baldock's 'energy', having watched him successful the Premier League with Sheffield United. "[He was] precise tenacious, played with a immense energy. He was ever up for a battle," Keane besides said. The right-back won 2 promotions with the Blades implicit an fantabulous seven-year spell.

England goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who played alongside Baldock astatine Bramall Lane portion connected loan, posted connected societal media: "Devastated to perceive the quality today. A friend, large teammate, large subordinate and besides a large household man. Sending each my emotion to each the family. RIP brother."

His household besides said successful a caller connection issued aft Thursday's post-mortem: "We are heartbroken with the abrupt passing of our beloved George. We tin corroborate that a post-mortem introspection has recovered that George tragically drowned whilst swimming successful the excavation astatine his location successful Glyfada, Athens.

"George, you were the astir peculiar father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person. Your enthusiasm and infectious property brought truthful overmuch emotion to those that were fortunate capable to cognize you and those that adored you from the stands. We volition everlastingly cherish the peculiar memories we person of you and you volition proceed to unrecorded connected successful your beauteous son.

"You were owed to alert location contiguous for america to observe his archetypal day together, but alternatively we mourn your loss. As a household it has been incredibly touching, but arsenic truthful precise hard to work the immense fig of tributes written by those that knew George and from those whose beingness helium touched.

"It was intolerable not to emotion him. We inquire that you delight proceed to respect our privateness astatine this devastating clip arsenic we statesman to process our grief."

Baldock earned 12 caps for Greece, having archetypal been called up successful 2022. He was eligible to play for them done his grandma but wasn't included successful their latest squad to look England and the Republic of Ireland this week. At Wembley, a minute's soundlessness was observed earlier kick-off, with some sets of players wearing achromatic armbands.