An Albanian burglar who raided the homes of Premier League stars as part of a £1.1 million spree has been jailed for almost 13 years.

Emiliano Krosi, 24, took part in 33 burglaries over a four-month period between November 11 and March 16 last year, including targeting the homes of Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella and Scott Dann.

During the burglary of Sterling’s property, he noticed which watches were real and left the fake ones behind, the court heard.

The houses were “carefully selected in the hope and expectation of rich harvests” and the gang carried out “rapid and disorderly searches”.

When Krosi – who traveled to the UK in the back of a truck – was first arrested, he asked: “What is burglary?”

But the judge told him that “you rejoiced in what you were doing” and that “his greed took an enormous toll of human misery.”

Albanian gang used ladder to break into Raheem Sterling’s house

Emiliano Krosi, 24 (pictured) took part in 33 burglaries over a four-month period

Jewelery and watches worth £300,000 are believed to have been stolen from the house where Sterling and his family are seen here.

He was sentenced to 12 years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to burglary, possession with intent to supply cocaine and simple possession of cannabis.

The total value of the burglaries was around £1.139 million, the court heard. Other alleged accomplices fled the country while on police bail.

Footballer Scott Dann, in a statement read by the prosecutor, said his wife had lost her engagement ring and he was at home with his wife and two young children when they were robbed. In total £220,000 was stolen.

At a previous trial, the court heard that burglars entered the bedroom of England footballer Raheem Sterling and stole 10 of his luxury Rolex watches worth at least £300,000.

Sterling, now an Arsenal player, was abroad playing football for the England team at the World Cup in Qatar and rushed home, missing the vital match.

During the trial the prosecutor said: ‘One of the victims, Raheem Sterling MBE, lists 10 very valuable Rolex watches which were stolen from his partner’s wardrobe and comments that he also owns a number of fake watches which he also has in the same wardrobe.

Sterling missed a Qatar 2022 World Cup match after returning home following the burglary

Sterling celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in their group match against Iran before the break-in at his home.

“However, these burglars knew what they wanted and took the valuables. Even in the rushed circumstances of a burglary, these burglars knew exactly what they were doing.

“Mr Sterling’s house was broken into between December 1 and 3, 2022 while he was playing football. Mr Sterling is believed to have participated in the Qatar World Cup for the England men’s football team during this period.

The court previously heard that Marc Cucurella, a Chelsea player, lost goods worth £62,000, including Louis Vuitton bags.

Mr Bendall told the trial: “You admit burglary number eight, in Surrey.

“It was the house of the richest of your victims – Inna Gudavadze, the Georgian philanthropist – who was worth billions.

“But your housekeeper proved nothing valuable was kept there, so all you got was £300 in cash.”

The court heard Krosi had a photo on his phone showing his cousin with a stolen necklace, as well as photos of several cars linked to the burglaries.

He also searched for Rolex and Louis Vuitton watches and messages were found including discussions about unloading stolen items.

The court previously heard that Marc Cucurella, a Chelsea player, lost goods worth £62,000, including Louis Vuitton bags.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is challenged by Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella on November 10

His cell phone was linked to certain locations of the burglaries.

Lucy Kennedy, Krosi’s defense lawyer, said: “These were not aggravated burglaries, there was no intention for them to be aggravating.

“He regrets the whole saga.”

The judge said the evidence indicated the criminal gang was a “family group”.

Prosecutor Richard Bendall said: “This was an agreement with others – some linked – to burglarize high-value homes in Surrey and elsewhere. It was a successful venture.

“These were all large, valuable detached properties in affluent areas…usually with large, extensive rear gardens backing onto open land.

“They had been carefully selected in the hope and expectation of rich harvests which often materialized.

“The modus operandi was that of going cross country, then accessing the back garden, then using ladders or furniture to access the properties.

Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann celebrates finishing a Premier League match in 2021

“There were rapid and disorderly searches of most properties – usually limited to bedrooms, but often master bedrooms.

“Six different motor vehicles were used in the business, registered under various false company names.”

The court heard Krosi and his colleagues were arrested when police followed one of the vehicles to a property in Roman Mews, Harlow, Essex, following a burglary.

Blood was recovered at the point of entry, which matched the accused’s cousin, Gérard Kalaja.

The prosecutor said there was an “Aladdin’s cave of stolen items and jewelry” at Roman Mews’ property. Tools used in the burglary were also found, including crowbars and sledgehammers.

Judge Hartley told Krosi: “You are, I am entirely satisfied, a dishonest and greedy man.

“To put it bluntly, the evidence suggests that you revel in what you do.

“The planning was comprehensive: these were not opportunistic, impulsive burglaries.

“Your greed and criminality have taken an enormous toll in human misery. »

She said the gang did not care about the people and children whose properties were vandalized.