Footballer Steven Gerrard and his wife Alex have welcomed their third daughter into their lives.

The famous couple have chosen to name their little one Lourdes – the same name Madonna famously chose for her daughter.

The name is traditionally Catholic, due to the belief that the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl in a town of the same name in France.

Both Alex and Steven are Catholics and married in a Catholic ceremony.

The couple already have two daughters – Lilly-Ella, aged seven and Lexie, aged five (pictured).

a spokesperson for the pair said: "Steven and Alex would like to thank the media for respecting the privacy of their family at this time."

The footballer, who was present at the birth, added: "Both mum and baby are doing well."

Photo: © Rex Features