Daniel Sturridge pays £16,000 to settle five-year row with US rapper who found his stolen Pomeranian dog – after ex-Liverpool star ‘refused’ to cough up the £23,000 reward
Daniel Sturridge has paid £16,000 to settle his long-running legal dispute with a rapper who claimed he was owed a reward for finding his stolen dog.
In July 2019, the former England striker publicly offered a reward for the safe return of his Pomeranian dog, Lucci, after he was taken from his Los Angeles home.
Foster Washington, an American rapper known as Killa Fame, claimed credit for reuniting Sturridge with his dog, but claimed he had not been paid and filed a civil lawsuit. In December 2021, an LA court ordered the former Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool star to pay Washington $30,000 (£23,400).
After ignoring the order, Sturridge was recalled to court in September 2023 but was unable to attend his hearing, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest, as first reported by Mail Sport.
Following our story, the Sky Sports expert hired a lawyer from California to resolve the case.
Mail Sport now understands that an out-of-court settlement was finally reached in the summer to end the bizarre five-year saga, with Sturridge paying Washington $20,000 (£15,900). As part of the agreement, neither party admitted liability, fault or wrongdoing.
Daniel Sturridge has paid £16,000 to settle his long-running legal dispute with a rapper who claimed he was owed a reward for finding his stolen dog
Five years ago, the former Liverpool striker was left distraught after Lucci was snatched from his LA home and appealed for $30,000 for his safe return.
An American rapper responded and uploaded images of the dog being held in a car seat
Rapper ‘Killa Fame’ claimed he was not paid by the former star and filed a civil lawsuit
The 35-year-old’s latest public comment about the feud with the rapper came after our exclusive report on his arrest warrant.
In October 2023, Sturridge wrote on social media: ‘Yesterday’s news was the first time my family and I have heard that someone continues to try to get money from me, following the theft of my family’s dog, Lucci, which happened four years ago happened. .
“The truth is, I personally paid a reward to the young boy who found it. He was very happy with the reward, as were my family and I when we got Lucci home. The person asking for payment doesn’t owe any money, I already paid the young boy who found Lucci.
‘I didn’t know the court hearing was even taking place. The legal paperwork was sent to the Airbnb property we left within 24 hours of the burglary. That’s why I haven’t had the chance to represent myself properly.
“That said, I have now assigned California attorneys to handle the cases on my behalf. I am confident that this will soon be resolved in my favor and the speculative claim will be put to an end for good.”
Sturridge has been working as a pundit on Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage since the start of last season. He never officially retired from football, but last played for Perth Glory in the Australian A-League in April 2022.
Mail Sport approached Sturridge’s lawyer for comment.