MK Dons pay emotional tribute to their former player George Baldock before game against Port Vale after the Greece international passed away aged 31

MK Dons paid an emotional tribute to their former player George Baldock ahead of their League Two game at home to Port Vale on Saturday.

Greece international Baldock, 31, was found dead in the pool of his home in Athens this week.

Baldock started his career at MK Dons after playing in the academy and went on to make 125 senior appearances for the club.

He made his first-team debut against Brighton in May 2010 and remained at MK Dons until 2017, also taking in loan spells at Northampton, Tamworth (twice), IBV and Oxford.

A minute’s silence was held before Saturday’s game, with players from both teams wearing black armbands, while a shirt with ‘Baldock 2’ on the back was placed in the home dugout.

MK Dons paid tribute to their former player George Baldock ahead of facing Port Vale

Players from both teams wore black armbands and a minute's silence was held

Players from both teams wore black armbands and a minute’s silence was held

Fans paid tribute to Baldock, with a message on a flag reading: 'George Baldock RIP, MK legend'

Fans paid tribute to Baldock, with a message on a flag reading: ‘George Baldock RIP, MK legend’

Supporters also paid tribute to Baldock, with one fan displaying an England flag which included the message ‘George Baldock RIP, MK legend’.

Before the game fans were invited to sign a book of condolence.

Port Vale won 1-0, with Antwoine Hackford scoring in the 77th minute.

Baldock joined Sheffield United in 2017 and went on to play 83 times in the Premier League for the Blades.

He signed for Panathinaikos in the summer and was capped 12 times by Greece.

Fans were invited to sign a book of condolence and paid their own tributes to Baldock

Fans were invited to sign a book of condolence and paid their own tributes to Baldock

Baldock joined Sheffield United from MK Dons and went on to play in the Premier League

Baldock joined Sheffield United from MK Dons and went on to play in the Premier League

Greece paid tribute to Baldock as they beat England 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday night.

Before the game, Greece captain Anastasios Bakasetas delivered an emotional speech in honour of Baldock.

Bakasetas said: ‘We know very well what a team we are and what we have achieved to get here.

‘We have nothing to fear from anyone and we are going to show it from the first minute. We know the specificity of the game, many of us know what George means.

‘George has always been an example for the team, giving his soul, putting the team above all and even sacrificing his physical integrity.

‘Today in the game will be our example. Each of us will sacrifice ourselves to honour him as he deserves. Let’s all be ready.’

James McAtee dedicated his two goals for England Under-21s against Ukraine on Friday night to Baldock.

McAtee was team-mates with Baldock during two loans spells at Sheffield United. 

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