FORMER Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has denied claims that he owes a man £24,400 for finding his missing dog.
The 34-year-old publicly offered a reward for the safe return of his Pomeranian in July 2019 after it had been stolen from his Los Angeles home.
American rapper Foster Washington took credit for reuniting Sturridge with his dog, but he insisted that he never received the promised money.
He subsequently launched a civil lawsuit and a Los Angeles court ordered the former Premier League star to pay $30,000 (£24,400) in December 2021.
Sturridge was called back to court last month, but a report from the Daily Mail claimed that he failed to attend.
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And he has since been served a bench warrant - a summons issued by a judge to arrest a defendant and bring them before court.
Despite the arrest warrant, Sturridge has continued to deny that he owes money.
In a statement issued on social media, he said: "I personally paid a reward to the young boy who found him. He was delighted with the reward, as were my family and I to get Lucci home.
"The person seeking payment is not due any money, I already paid the young boy who found Lucci.
"I was unaware of the court hearing even taking place. The legal paperwork was sent to the Airbnb property which we had left within 24 hours of the burglary.
"Therefore, I have not had the opportunity to properly represent myself in relation to these false claims.
"With that being said, I have now instructed California lawyers to deal with matters on my behalf. I am confident that this will be resolved in my favour quickly and put an end to the speculative claim for good."
Sturridge has not played professional football since leaving Perth Glory in 2022.
He was named as a new Sky Sports pundit at the beginning of the season.
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