West Ham star Kurt Zouma and his family have been left ‘traumatised’ after an armed gang raided their £3million home and stole £100,000 in cash and jewellery.
The gang of thugs ransacked The Hammers’ captain’s mansion on Saturday night while he was relaxing with his family.
Zouma, 29, was missing from West Ham’s squad on Sunday as they drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace following the raid – which prompted a warning from cops to neighbours amid fears an organised crime group could strike again.
Zouma and his loved ones have been left ‘too scared to stay at home’, with a source telling The Sun: ‘Kurt and the family were put through an horrific ordeal, and are still struggling to speak about what happened… Kurt is a family man and in shock. He is worried about protecting his family.’
News of the ordeal left West Ham fans stunned – with the club today offering a £25,000 reward for information leading to the gang’s capture.
Kurt Zouma and his loved ones were ‘traumatised’ and ‘too scared to stay at home’, a source said
In a statement, the club said: ‘West Ham United has offered a £25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of burglars who broke into defender Kurt Zouma’s home on the eve of the Club’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace this weekend.
‘Kurt’s home was broken into on Saturday while all his family were in the house, leaving everyone present extremely distressed. While thankfully no one was harmed, it was a traumatic experience for the West Ham United defender, his wife and their young family.
‘The burglars took items of significant value and of huge personal and sentimental importance to the family.
‘The West Ham United family continue to offer Kurt’s family their full support.’
Head coach David Moyes said Zouma had missed the game due to personal reasons, and it has now emerged the centre-back suffered the terrifying ordeal.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan said: ‘First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone connected to West Ham United are with Kurt and his family.
‘To have someone break into your home is a terrifying experience and I hope this reward will help bring the individuals to justice and prevent others from going through a similar ordeal.’
Anyone who has any relevant information should email [email protected] with as much detail as possible, which will then be shared with the police.