Buckinghamshire-based footballer George Baldock has died at the age of just 31.
The former Milton Keynes and Oxford United man, who was born in Buckingham, was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at his home Glyfada, Greece on October 9.
Whilst no official cause of death has been confirmed, the BBC has reported that the initial coroner’s findings suggested that the right-back had drowned, and that there ‘are no indications of foul play.’
Baldock had spent the last seven years at Sheffield United, three of which were in the Premier League.
He departed the club this summer to join the Greek side Panathinaikos where he played four times for The Shamrocks.
Despite being native to Buckinghamshire, he was capped 12 times by the Greek national team.
A family statement reads: “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."
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire rivals to Wycombe Wanderers, also penned an emotional tribute to the late right-back.
Baldock began his professional career with the League Two team, playing 125 games and scoring twice.
He helped the club achieve promotion to the Championship in 2015, and played the full 90 minutes of their famous 4-0 League Cup win over Manchester United in August 2014.
This was against a Red Devils side that featured the likes of David De Gea, Jonny Evans, Michael Keane, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.
The club said: “We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock.
“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 reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years.
“Everyone affiliated with MK Dons shares a great love for George, Sam and the Baldock family, and we would like to share our sincerest condolences during these awful times.
“You will always be one of our own, George.”
The EFL said: “The EFL is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of George Baldock, a player who made a lasting impact with spells across the League at Sheffield United, Oxford United, Northampton Town and MK Dons.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues.”
During his career, Baldock played twice against Wycombe, winning one and losing one.
Both games took place in 2015 at Adams Park.
The first, which was on Good Friday, resulted in a 3-2 win for Oxford United where he picked up a yellow card, whilst the second took place in December of that year, which the Chairboys won 2-1.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article