Jack Grealish has spoken out after his country home was raided by thieves for £1 million worth of jewelery on Boxing Day while his family were inside.
The footballer, 28, has spoken of his devastation over the 'traumatic' incident that left his loved ones terrified.
Footballer Jack's 28-year-old fiancée, Sasha Attwood, was with his family at their home in Cheshire as the panic buttons were pressed in the house when the burglars struck.
It is believed that ten family members – including Sasha, his parents, two sisters and brother – were in the property.
Sharing a photo of himself looking relaxed with his dog, Jack wrote on Instagram on Sunday: 'I can't begin to explain how devastated I am over the burglary that happened at my home a few days ago.
Jack Grealish has spoken out after his country home was raided by thieves for £1 million worth of jewelery on Boxing Day while his family were inside (pictured Saturday)
The 28-year-old footballer shared a photo of himself looking relaxed with his dog on Sunday and revealed his devastation over the 'traumatic' incident that left his loved ones terrified
It is believed that ten family members – including fiancée Sasha Attwood, his parents, two sisters and brother – were at the property
'My family means the world to me and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety. This has been a traumatic experience for all of us. I'm so thankful no one was hurt.
'I've had so many great experiences and achievements over the past 12 months, but to be honest, the best year of my life in football doesn't feel like something to celebrate right now.
'The people who commit these terrible crimes have no idea of the damage they do to people's lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice so that no other family has to go through what we have.
'I appreciate everyone's messages and the support from my friends, teammates and the club.
“On a more positive note, I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past year, I wish you and your family a happy 2024.”
Jack's family were forced to flee and hide in the £5.6 million mansion that Jack only moved into before Christmas, while police told neighbors to lock their doors and stay in their homes.
Police, fearing they would face a possible hostage situation, rushed to the scene and even had a helicopter search the area, but the perpetrators were able to escape with £1 million worth of jewellery.
A source told the The sun: 'The family is really shocked. The gang took a lot of watches and jewelry.
Footballer Jack's 28-year-old fiancée, Sasha, was with his family at their home in Cheshire as the panic buttons were pressed in the house when the burglars struck.
Jack played in Manchester City's 3-1 away win against Everton during the burglary
'They carried out their raid as Manchester City were playing live on TV and his whole family had gathered downstairs to cheer him on.
'No one was injured, but there was a lot of panic. Everyone was terrified because they were all so vulnerable.
'It's a huge building, so it's understandable that no one heard anything at first. It was also the family's first time visiting, so they were unfamiliar with the property.
“When the dogs got angry and they heard people crawling around, they pressed the panic alarm.”
Police investigating the raid are investigating the possibility that the gang received inside information about his whereabouts.
Burglars hit the Manchester City winger's home in Cheshire on December 26 while he was playing against Everton at Goodison Park.
Authorities are believed to be investigating whether the gang “had prior knowledge” that he would not be home at the time.
A source told MailOnline that such crimes are often committed by 'serious organized crime networks' who have 'vast sources of information about what players are doing and when'.
They added that gangs will pay “a lot of money” to people who can provide them with insider information and help organize a raid.
The source said: 'One theory being looked into is that moving staff were followed during the days Jack moved into the property.
“There were cars coming and going for days leading up to Jack and his girlfriend getting the keys.
'For burglars who want to raid, this is like red meat. The police will therefore work backwards in the days leading up to the raid to see if there are any clues at all.
'Another area they will investigate to find out is whether the gang had inside information.
'These raids are carried out by serious organized crime networks, often based abroad, who have vast amounts of information about what players are doing and when.
“They pay a lot of money for tips to help carry out these kinds of raids.”
Jack Grealish, pictured on Instagram with fiancée Sasha, poses in his rose gold Rolex
MailOnline has also learned that Jack's fiancée has been left 'terrified' by the Boxing Day raid and no longer feels safe on her own in the property.
A source said: 'Sasha is in turmoil over this. Sasha has faced death threats and online abuse time and time again during her time with Jack.
'But this feels very different. The fact that people enter her new home this way scares her to death. She hasn't been alone since it happened and she doesn't want to anymore.
'Jack is particularly angry about the impact this has had on Sasha. They have been together for almost half his life and he loves her dearly.
'He will now do anything to protect her. They have their dream house, but it means nothing if she's not happy and Jack wants her to feel as safe in it as possible.'
Details of the fear Sasha is feeling come as police continue to investigate the Boxing Day incident.
Officers are under intense pressure to find out who is responsible as virtually no cases involving Premier League players are ultimately solved.
“The police want to know who did this,” our source said. 'Time and again, burglars who target players at that moment seem to disappear from the face of the earth, with the stolen objects never being seen again.
“Detectives have told Jack and his management that they are determined this case will be different and that they will do everything they can to catch the gang behind it.”
Yesterday, MailOnline revealed how the raid could have been carried out by a South American gang – and that those behind it may have already fled the country.
We also told how police are investigating whether burglars tracked removal vans coming and going from Grealish's country home in Cheshire.
The gang is based in an area called the 'Golden Triangle', which has been repeatedly cordoned off over the past three years by professional gangs from Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Peru.
Experts say they were likely flown to Britain specifically for the raid and may have already returned to South America.
Every year, around 500 burglars from these South American countries travel to Britain to target homes in Cheshire, the Home Counties, London and Surrey.
Former Met detective Peter Bleksley said: 'This looks and sounds like a gang from South America who have come here to burglarize. For starters, the area is exactly where they operate.”
Jack returned to the pitch in Man City's 2-0 Premier League win over Sheffield United yesterday, playing until early in the second half.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reportedly told his stars to limit their use of social media to reduce the chance they could be targeted in similar attacks.
He told reporters earlier this week: “Today you have to be absolutely careful. Not much on social media, the less they know what you do the better.”