Dog safely returned after it was stolen from soccer star's home

Soccer player Daniel Sturridge has been reunited with his dog Lucci after the black and white Pomeranian was stolen from his West Hollywood home.

Los Angeles police confirmed to KABC the dog was located early Wednesday morning and police were not present when the dog was returned.

Sturridge told police he did not believe the person who returned Lucci was involved in the burglary of his house.

Sturridge, who made 18 appearances last season with Liverpool F.C. in England's top soccer league, pleaded for the return of his beloved Lucci, who apparently was stolen from his home in the Hollywood Hills.

"I'm not even trying to find out who did it. It doesn't matter to me. I just want the dog back," Sturridge said in an interview with "Good Morning America." "I know there's a lot of dog lovers out there ... dogs are considered family members."

Sturridge discovered the pup was missing when he entered his home with his girlfriend and was alarmed that the Pomeranian did not rush to greet him. He then he noticed broken glass while walking around his kitchen.

"Walked into the house, didn't see the dog greeting us at the door," he told "GMA," "and everyone was like, 'Yo where's Lucci?'"

Sturridge and his girlfriend checked upstairs and noticed that some of her bags and purses were missing.

"You know," he added, "if you break into a house, why would you take the dog?"

Sturridge immediately took to social media and asked his 3.5 million followers to help him track down his beloved dog. The Pomeranian has his own account with over 10,000 followers.

Los Angeles police confirmed they received a call at about 1:30 a.m and that other personal property was also taken from the residence.

No arrests have been made at this time in connection to the dog napping or burglary, according to police.

Sturridge, a forward, has 76 goals and 21 assists in 218 career appearances in the English Premier League.