Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has become the latest Premier League footballer to have his home in the northwest of England burgled.
The 25-year-old Scotland international was in Italy ahead of a Champions League game against Inter Milan when his home in Bowden, Lancashire, was robbed late on Monday.
Local police said a woman was threatened during the robbery. Fletcher, who could start on Tuesday's match at Inter, joins players such as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Jose Reina who have all had their homes broken into.
Thieves regularly target properties when players are out of the country. Liverpool goalkeeper Reina's home was robbed in May 2007 on the same night he saved two penalty kicks at Chelsea to carry his team into the Champions League final.