McAtee pays touching tribute after England Under-21s brace | OneFootball

City midfielder James McAtee paid an emotional tribute to his former Sheffield United team-mate George Baldock as his late brace secured a dramatic 2-1 win for England’s Under-21s against Ukraine on Friday.

McAtee spent two seasons playing alongside Baldock, who tragically passed away in Greece earlier this week at the age of just 31, during a loan spell at Bramall Lane.

With the England Lion cubs trailing 1-0 at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in their latest 2025 European Under-21 Championship qualifier, McAtee first drew the hosts level with an 88th minute free-kick.

The City Academy graduate, who netted his first senior City goal away at Slovan Bratislava earlier this month, then secured a dramatic turnaround by slotting home an injury time winner.

In the wake of his first goal McAtee lifted his shirt to reveal a poignant message reading 'GB 2 REST EASY BROTHER X'.GB referred to Baldock’s initials with 2 his squad number during his time at Sheffield United.

The result saw the England youngsters reduce the gap at the top of the Group F behind Ukraine to just two points after nine games and all but secure qualification for next summer's finals.

Ben Futcher’s side are back in action on Tuesday when they play host to Azerbaijan Under-21s at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, kick-off 19.30pm (UK).