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<\/p>\nWest Ham\u00a0star Kurt Zouma\u00a0and his family have been left ‘traumatised’ after an armed gang raided their \u00a33million home and stole \u00a3100,000 in cash and jewellery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gang of thugs ransacked The Hammers’ captain’s Essex mansion late on Saturday night while he was relaxing with his wife Sandra and their children.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Frenchman 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\u00a0group could strike again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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…\u00a0Kurt is a family man and in shock. He is worried about protecting his family.’<\/p>\n
News of the ordeal left West Ham fans stunned – with the club today offering a \u00a325,000 reward for information leading to the gang’s capture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Kurt Zouma\u00a0and his loved ones were ‘traumatised’ and ‘too scared to stay at home’, a source said<\/p>\n
In a statement, the club said: ‘West Ham United has offered a \u00a325,000 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.<\/p>\n
‘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.<\/p>\n
‘The burglars took items of significant value and of huge personal and sentimental importance to the family.<\/p>\n
‘The West Ham United family continue to offer Kurt’s family their full support.’<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
West Ham chairman David Sullivan said: ‘First and foremost, the thoughts of everyone connected to West Ham United are with Kurt and his family.<\/p>\n
‘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.’<\/p>\n
French international Zouma is married to Sandra, who he first met when they were teenagers in Lyon, in central France.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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French international Zouma is married to Sandra (pictured), who he first met when they were teenagers in Lyon, in central France<\/p>\n
They revealed in July that they had welcomed their fourth child together.<\/p>\n
The \u00a330million-a-year defender becomes the latest in a long line of top-flight footballers to have been targeted by professional robbery gangs.<\/p>\n
Among the other victims includes Raheem Stirling, Paul Pogba and Joao Cancelo.<\/p>\n
Detectives from Essex Police are now investigating the attack against Zouma. In a statement, the force said: ‘We were called shortly after 11.50pm on Saturday December 2 to reports of a burglary in west Essex.<\/p>\n
‘It was reported suspects had gained entry to an address, before taking items including jewellery and watches. Our investigation into this incident is continuing.’<\/p>\n
Police are urging those with information to contact them by calling 101, quoting incident number 1306 of 1 December.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those seeking to respond to West Ham’s appeal for help, can also email\u00a0confidential@westhamunited.co.uk. Information will be shared with police, the club insisted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n