England football captain David Beckham had a third son after his wife Victoria gave birth, it was announced.

The baby was born in Madrid, shortly after David had finished playing in a match in the capital for Real Madrid.

The birth was by caesarean section as were the couple's other two children Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, two.

A spokesman for the couple said they would be making a statement later on Sunday.

The couple announced Victoria's third pregnancy in August last year, saying they were "delighted" at the "fantastic news".

The baby was initially said to be due in early March but recent reports had claimed the 30-year-old former Spice Girl would have a caesarean on Friday next week.

The couple celebrated the birth of their first son Brooklyn - named after the place where he was conceived - now five, in March 1999.

In September 2002, Victoria gave birth to their second son Romeo at the private Portland Hospital in London.

News of her latest pregnancy came after allegations that Beckham had an affair.

In April last year, the footballer was forced to make an on-the record denial of claims of an affair with 26-year old personal assistant Rebecca Loos.

Beckham branded the allegations "ludicrous" in a statement issued soon afterwards.

He said at the time: "The simple truth is that I am very happily married, have a wonderful wife and two very special kids. There is nothing that any third party can do to change these facts."

Speculation over the Beckhams' marriage first surfaced in September 2003 after the footballer's transfer to Spain.

The news that they planned to have the baby in Spain bolstered Victoria's pledge to concentrate her attention on being by her husband's side in Madrid.

Real Madrid lost 2-0 on Saturday night against Athletic Bilbao at their Santiago-Bernabeu stadium.