Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31.
Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool at his home in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada on Wednesday.
Police attempted to revive the Greece international, who signed for Panathinaikos this summer after a seven-year spell at Bramall Lane, but were unsuccessful in doing so and his time of death was listed as 10pm.
A statement from Greece's Ministry of Citizen Protection released on Thursday read: "A preliminary investigation has been carried out by the Attica Security Directorate.
"A forensic pathologist was called to the scene and examined the body with no evidence of criminal activity.
"In addition, the police searched the house to determine if there are any traces of a burglary, with a negative result.
"Also, a specialised team of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Police carried out a check at the house in order to exclude the possibility of criminal activity."
The Football Association confirmed there would be a period of silence before Thursday night’s Nations League match between England and Greece at Wembley, and that players of both sides would wear black armbands.
UEFA said there would also be a minute's silence before Greece’s match at home to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
The full-back, who was not named in the Greece squad for either game, featured in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Olympiacos.
We're incredibly saddened by the news of George Baldock’s passing this evening
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 9, 2024
George played against Ireland in the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying campaign last year - and played with a number of Irish players at club level in his career
Our thoughts are with his family and… pic.twitter.com/iwzszgZO4t
Baldock started his career at MK Dons and went on to play more than 100 times for the club.
A lengthy spell at MK Dons included numerous loan spells away, with two stints at Oxford before he signed for Sheffield United in 2017.
Two years later, Baldock was a key figure as Chris Wilder's team secured promotion to the Premier League where they initially took the top-flight by storm before they suffered relegation in 2021.
Baldock helped the Blades secure automatic promotion back to the summit of English football and his form earned him international recognition in 2022.
With Greek ancestry in his family, the defender was convinced by then-Greece head coach Gus Poyet to play for the national team and went on to earn 12 caps, last playing for his country earlier this year.
A switch to Panathinaikos followed after 219 appearances for the Blades.
A statement from Baldock's family 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."
In a statement, the FAI said: "We're incredibly saddened by the news of George Baldock's passing this evening.
"George played against Ireland in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign last year - and played with a number of Irish players at club level in his career.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and also with the players and staff at the Greek Football Federation at this sad time."
Sheffield United paid tribute to their "extremely popular" former player.
"Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player George Baldock," a club statement read.
"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."
Baldock's brother James is a club doctor at Oxford, who said in a statement: "Oxford United Football Club 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."
