Dele Alli leads mourners at George Baldock's funeral three weeks after tragic death aged 31

George Baldock tragically died three weeks ago at the age of just 31, with former team-mates paying tribute to the Greece international at his funeral on Wednesday

Dele Alli led the tributes to George Baldock as he attended the funeral service for the Greece international, three weeks after his tragic death at the age of just 31.

Baldock drowned in the swimming pool at his villa in Athens on 9 October, a day before he was scheduled to fly to England to celebrate his son's first birthday. He had left Sheffield United in the summer after seven years to join Greek side Panathinaikos.

His wife raised the alarm after failing to reach him from their home in England and Baldock is understood to have been dead for five hours before being found by the owner of the villa. Tributes poured in immediately after his death, with his international team-mates claiming a first-ever win at Wembley a day later, a victory they dedicated to him.

The Panathinaikos squad have flown in to attend the funeral after club owner Giannis Alafouzos is arranged a chartered flight to ensure Baldock’s grieving teammates can attend and pay their respects. Dele previously played alongside Baldock during his career in England.

He was in attendance at Baldock's funeral service, which was held in Milton Keynes on Wednesday afternoon. Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder and Oliver McBurnie, Baldock's former team-mate, were also in attendance as they paid their respects, as was England international Dean Henderson.

Baldock's family previously issued an emotional statement in the wake of his sad death. It read: "We are heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George. We can confirm that a post-mortem examination has found that George tragically drowned whilst swimming in the pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens.

"George, you were the most special father, fiancé, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person. Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands.

"We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son. You were due to fly home today for us to celebrate his first birthday together, but instead we mourn your loss.

"As a family it has been incredibly touching, but equally so very difficult to read the huge number of tributes written by those that knew George and from those whose life he touched.

"It was impossible not to love him. We ask that you please continue to respect our privacy at this devastating time as we begin to process our grief."

England star Henderson played alongside Baldock at Sheffield United and stood at the front of the Three Lions technical area during the minute's silence held ahead of the clash with Greece. Speaking after a win over Finland later that week, Henderson opened up on his grief.

“I don't even know what to say. I'm lost for words on it. Still numb to this day,” Henderson said. “I cannot believe it. I'm still numb.

"The group of lads we had there and what a big character he was, to lose him and just out of the blue … And obviously wondering, like, Annabel, his poor missus, and everything with the young boy, Brody … it’s such a shame.”

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