Former Manchester United footballer Chris Smalling had his house broken into in a failed burglarly attempt as police in Italy have launched an investigation. Reports suggest the defender – now playing in the Serie A for AS Roma – had been targeted by thieves on Monday evening in what is the third attempted break-in in as many years after he moved to the Italian capital of Rome.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport report that Smalling’s luxury home in Tor Carbone, located in the Appia Antica area on the outskirts of Rome, was targeted on Monday.
A gang of thieves smashed a window and gained entry to his home as they attempted to crack into a safe, but they failed to break into it and made off. The report claims the assailants were a group of ‘professionals’, believed to be from Eastern Europe, after investigators analysed the scene.
Police have launched an investigation into the latest break-in and Smalling will be brought in for questioning to give an account of what was taken from his home.
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It is the third attempted burglary Smalling has experienced in as many years since he and his family moved to Italy. The 33-year-old is married to glamour model Sam Cooke, 37, and the pair have a four-year-old son, Leo.
Two years ago, Smalling was robbed at knifepoint after three armed robbers broke into his house in the early hours of the morning. The ex-England international was forced to open the family safe, before they escaped with valuable items such as his Rolex watch.
His wife called Italian police in the early hours of the morning after the ordeal, with the incident leaving them ‘very distressed’. It is not yet known if Smalling or his family were at the house on this occasion.
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Smalling joined Roma in a ยฃ13million deal back in 2020 after a successful season-long loan spell was turned into a permanent switch by the Giallorossi.
He was a regular for Jose Mourinho’s side last season, making 47 appearances in all competitions, but has been limited to just three outings this term.
The centre-back had been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Fulham as a youngster just two years after turning out in non-league and went on to make 323 appearances for the Red Devils.
He left Old Trafford with two Premier League titles, an FA Cup winners’ medal, Europa League and Carabao Cup to his name and has won 31 caps for England, although his last cap came back in 2017.
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