Manchester City star Jack Grealish has hit out at burglars who raided his Cheshire mansion – saying they “have no idea of the damage they cause people’s lives”.
It comes after burglars raided the 28-year-old England forward’s home while he was in action for the Premier League titleholders at Everton’s Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
Members of Grealish‘s family and his fiancee Sasha Attwood were at the property at the time when they heard a disturbance and raised the alarm, The Sun reported.
Nobody was harmed, but £1m worth of jewellery and watches was reportedly stolen.
Grealish said he was “devastated” by the burglary – which he said had been a “traumatic experience” for both him and his family.
“My family mean the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety,” he said in a post on Instagram, his first since the raid.
“This has been a traumatic experience for all of us, I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt
“I have had so many amazing experiences and achievements over the last 12 months, but to be honest, the best year of my life in football now doesn’t feel like something I can celebrate.
“The people that commit these terrible crimes have no idea of the damage they cause to people’s lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice, so no other family has to go through what we have.”
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The raid at Grealish’s mansion is the latest in a string of raids on the homes of wealthy footballers, including former Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, who was attacked during a burglary at his home in December 2021.
Chelsea star Raheem Sterling, former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and ex-Manchester United players Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria, have also been targeted in the past.
Following the burglary at Grealish’s home, his Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said footballers should not post too much on social media.
“Today you have to be careful, definitely. Not much on social media – the less they know what you are doing the better. People are waiting (to see) where you are, what you are doing.
“Unfortunately it’s happened with Joao, which was so scary because the family was attacked.
“Jewellery, money, whatever – it’s tough – and the family being there is difficult to process. It’s tough for Jack, as it was with Joao before.”
Police said officers, supported by dogs and a helicopter, searched the area around Grealish’s property near Knutsford but there was no trace of the suspects.
