Kurt Zouma has pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping a cat after video emerged of the incident in February.
The West Ham, 27, defender hid his face and was surrounded by several security guards, as he arrived at Thames Magistrates’ Court to appear alongside his brother Yoan.
He admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on 6 February by kicking it in the abdomen and slapping it on the head.
The court was told about disturbing footage of the incident, filmed at Kurt Zouma’s home and posted on Snapchat by his brother.
It was later seen by a woman who had been messaging Yoan, who raised the alarm.
Kurt Zouma could be seen volleying the Bengal cat across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head.
Prosecutor Hazel Stevens told the court he could be heard saying: “I swear I’ll kill it, I swear I’ll kill it.”
Yoan Zouma, 24, admitted one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his older brother to commit an offence.
Image: Yoan Zouma arriving at Thames Magistrates’ Court
Two cats are still under the care of the the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Kurt Zouma was forced to apologise and West Ham fined their player in relation to the incident and made donations to nine animal welfare charities in the UK and overseas.
