Tragic footballer George Baldock’s fiancé has paid tribute to her ‘soulmate’ in a heartbreaking message just hours after he drowned in the pool of his Greek apartment.
Annabel Dignam, who is mother to the couple’s year old son Brody, shared the message with her follows on Instagram along with a picture of them.
She also revealed Baldock, 31, had been due to fly back to Britain on Thursday to celebrate his birthday with the family at their home in Sheffield.
She said: ‘George, the love of my life, my soulmate.
‘The perfect Dad to our beautiful boy.
‘You completed me. You were my world and I know we were yours.
‘You are here with me in Brody’s smile, giggle and infectious personality.
‘My world will never be the same but I will find a way for Brody. I promise.
‘I love you forever and always G. Your Neen. X’
Earlier today, Baldock’s heartbroken family paid tribute to ‘the most special father, fiancé, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person’, as they mourn his sudden loss.
Police investigating the drowning of the 31-year-old have recovered CCTV showing him swimming in the pool at his Greek luxury apartment, as sources say it shows him swimming vigorously, before suddenly stopping and then sinking.
The CCTV from a neighbouring property captures half the pool and shows him entering the water at about 6.45 on Wednesday evening, hours before his body was found.
Baldock’s family released a statement today, revealing the footballer was due to fly home to celebrate his son’s first birthday, but how they now ‘mourn his loss’.
Paying tribute, they said ‘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’.
The family went on to say ‘it was impossible not to love him’, as they asked members of the public for privacy at this ‘devastating time’.
The clip, which was recovered by police after ex Sheffield United defender Baldock was discovered in the pool at 10.30pm, is key to establishing what happened although officials are confident there is no foul play.
Baldock had played for his new club Panathinakos on Sunday against fierce rivals Olympiacos and the game had ended in a 0-0 draw with the former Premier League played subbed off in the 75th minute.
It is known that he trained as usual with his team on Wednesday and then drove 13 miles from the session to his rented ground floor 15,000 Euro a month apartment in the upmarket Athens suburb of Glyfada.
Police say that his partner had contacted the property manager – identified as Andreas Vlachopoulos – who went to the property and found Baldock lifeless in the swimming pool with the owners.
On his Instagram Mr Vlachopoulos wrote: ‘To be called to the office at 22.00 in the evening by the owner of a property you have rented and to be the first to announce that your client was found dead in the swimming pool of his home.
‘There are no words for what I feel. I wish strength to his family,’ before adding a picture of Baldock.
The full statement from Baldock’s family 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’.
Greek media also reported that Wednesday was the first birthday of Baldock’s son and that his partner – who has yet to be identified – had called from Britain as she knew he would not want to miss the event.
It is understood that she asked the manager and owner to search the apartment and when they couldn’t find him asked them to check the pool and that’s when he was discovered.
The owner of the apartment dived into the pool and pulled him to the surface where he gave CPR while paramedics raced to the scene but there was nothing that could be done and his body was later taken to a mortuary.
An autopsy later confirmed he had drowned but toxicology reports would take at least a week to come back.
George would have likely played for his country at Wembley against England tonight but was currently injured.
In emotional scenes, players from both teams observed a minute’s silence this evening before the match.
A shirt with Baldock’s name was held up by the Greek national team as part of the touching tribute before kick-off.
England substitute goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who played with Baldock at Sheffield United, stood on the touchline as he paid his respects during the minute’s silence.
Full back Mr Baldock was nicknamed ‘Furious George’ by Sheffield United fans who loved his uncompromising style and win at all costs attitude. Supporters also called him ‘Starman’ – and sung his name to the tune of the song by David Bowie as he ran down the wing.
Former teammates and friends including Harry Maguire have led tributes to the footballer – with the former Manchester United captain simply posting ‘RIP’, alongside a broken heart emoji.
Baldock joined Panathinaikos in the summer after spending seven celebrated seasons with the Blades, where he was dubbed ‘Furious George’, in the Premier League and Championship.
He started his career at MK Dons and playing in all of England’s top five divisions.
A heartbroken Sheffield United paid tribute to their former player as they announced the news to their fans.
‘Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,’ they posted on X.
‘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.’
There were also tributes from his former clubs in England as well as the FA.
Northampton Town, where he played five games on loan, wrote on X: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31.
‘Sending our sincerest condolences to George’s family and friends.’
Panathinaikos appears to have blacked out their logo on their social media in a subtle tribute.
And his boyhood club, MK Dons, said they were ‘devastated’ to hear the news, in an emotional post as they said he ‘will always be one of our own’.
They 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.’