Gareth Bale confirms he's expecting his third child with Emma Rhys-Jones

Gareth Bale has revealed that he's going to become a father again for the third time.

The Welsh sports star - who currently plays football for Real Madrid - announced the news on Twitter this weekend.

'Baby number 3 coming soon,' he wrote before adding emojis of a tiny tot's face and milk bottle.

Gareth uploaded a sweet picture of a striped sleep suit, pair of tiny socks and an adorable bunny toy alongside his announcement.

The mother of Gareth's unborn child is his 26-year-old fiancée Emma Rhys-Jones.

Gareth and Emma already have two daughters together. Their oldest is a five-year-old named Alba Violet is five. Her little sister Nava Valentina is two.

Obviously thrilled that he's going to become a grandparent again, Emma's dad Martin Rhys-Jones also took to the social networking site to express his elation.

The 53-year-old confirmed that his daughter and Gareth are expecting their first son.

'Congratulations to my daughter Emma and son-in-law Gareth Bale on their forthcoming arrival of their third child, a beautiful baby boy.'

Gareth's status was an instant hit with fans - it amassed over 1,000 comments, 4,000 re-tweets and 44,000 'likes'.

'Such a wonderful news from the King of Wales! Huge congrats,' gushed one happy admirer.

Another added:'Congratulations! May the child provide you and your family with a lifetime of pride and joy.'

A third joked that with a baby on the way, dad-to-be Gareth should now consider swapping Spain for the UK by donning his Tottenham Hotspurs shirt once again.

'Great time to move back to ur home in London!! #backtothelane,' they quipped.

Gareth, 28, is set to marry his childhood sweetheart Emma in Italy later this year.

The ceremony will be held an Vincigliata Castle in Tuscany - the same venue fellow footballer Theo Walcott picked for his wedding to wife Malanie a few years ago.