LONDON: Wayne Rooney is to become a father for the second time in May, the England and Manchester United footballer's wife, Coleen, has revealed on Twitter.

She told her 840,000 followers that the couple were “thrilled” to be expecting a brother or sister for son Kai, who was born in November 2009.

“A few people guessed, so news is out ha!! Me, Wayne and Kai are thrilled that we are expecting a new addition to our family around May time,” she tweeted.

“Its still only early but bursting with excitement! Also wanted the news to come from us, before anyone else!” added the expectant mother.

The childhood sweethearts from Liverpool, now both 26, wed in a lavish ceremony in June 2008, but their relationship has come under scrutiny in the past following newspaper reports that Rooney used prostitutes.

“Wayne, Coleen and their families are thrilled and delighted that Coleen is expecting their second child,” a spokesman for the couple said.

“They wanted to share the great news on their popular social networking sites and that is why Coleen tweeted the news ahead of any speculation.

“Everyone is thrilled for them.”