Joe Cole becomes a father for the second time

Joe and Carly Cole have become parents for the second time.

The England footballer and his 28-year-old model wife welcomed a son into the world on October 19 at the Portland Hospital in London.

A source told website MailOnline: "Carly gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She is set to return to Liverpool with Joe later this week."

The happy couple have yet to reveal the name of their boy, who is brother to their two-year-old daughter Ruby.

Carly Cole has previously praised Joe for being a hands-on dad. Speaking soon after Ruby was born, she said: "He loves being a dad and wants to do as much as he can. He's more of a worrier than me and I think he'll be really protective."

Joe Cole is also an active father who "likes to do at least two nappies a day and wants to do his fair share".

The couple — who wed in 2009 after seven years together — were spotted shopping for baby things in Essex last week, with Joe pushing the pram while Carly walked with him, dressed down in baggy harem pants and a khaki jacket.

The couple had relocated to Lille, France, last year, but returned to the UK in the later stages of Carly's pregnancy.