An Albanian family of thieves used a ladder to break into Raheem Sterling's home and steal Rolex watches and other designer items worth more than £300,000,a judge has been told.
The gang targeted the homes of wealthy footballers across Surrey,Essex,Kent and Hertfordshire,one of which belonged to the Chelsea player.
They entered Sterling's home while he was abroad playing for England in the Qatar World Cup via the rear garden and used a ladder to climb into the player's bedroom where they stole 10 of his luxury Rolex watches.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City winger was forced to rush home and missed a crucial match in the tournament.
Judge Catherine Hartley,sitting at Guildford Crown Court,is presiding over a trial of issue for the only remaining defendant,Emiliano Krosi,24,who has admitted being involved in 15 high value burglaries but denies being involved in all 33 offences of which he is accused.
Sterling celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in their group match against Iran before the break in at his home took place
The judge heard that six cars,including a red Mercedes,were involved in the burglaries - all registered under false names or fictional company names.
Gerrard Kalaja,Henri Osmani and Alfred Isufi - who were also implicated in the burglaries - have likely left the country,the court heard.
DNA evidence of Kalaja - Krosi's cousin - and Isufi,his father,were found at some of the burgled properties - blood evidence.
The court heard that Krosi and the three other suspects were arrested after a burglary at a house on Blackhall Lane,Kent,on January 27 last year.
The suspects,who were tracked by police to a property at Roman Mews,Harlow,had an 'Aladdin's cave' of stolen goods at the property,the judge heard.
The court was told there were two amounts of cash totalling almost £6,'loads' of jewellery and designer goods,a complete burglary kit and a black coat which still had bits of glass embedded in it.
Mr Bendall said: 'Two items that did prove significant were two pairs of sunglasses because (the victim) was able to recognise them partly by their designs but also by the little cloths in their cases.'
Krosi and the other suspects were released on police bail so that they could be interviewed about matters in Surrey. However,they have effectively disappeared,the court heard.
Krosi was eventually arrested on August 16 last year whilst driving a black Range Rover. Messages on Krosi's iPhone showed him discussing selling Rolexes and Cartier watches to a fellow Albanian on November 30,2022.
Mr Bendall said Krosi had been 'cherry-picking' which burglaries to admit - those that have 'no conceivable room to manoeuvre.'
Krosi is charged with conspiring to commit a burglary dwelling with intent to steal. The hearing continues.
