Irish footballer James McClean and his fiancée Erin Connor have revealed to friends and family that they are expecting their first child together.

The couple, who got engaged last year, are said to be “overjoyed” at the thought of becoming parents.

James with Erin who is a nursing student (pic via Twitter: @Erineyy). 

According to the Sunday Independent the baby is due at the end of the year and is something James is very excited about.

A source told the publication: “He can’t contain his excitement. Last year was a tough time for him so with the wedding and the new baby, it looks like 2013 will be his year.”

The engagement ring he gave her last year (pic via Twitter: @Erineyy).

The 23-year-old Sunderland winger, who is from Derry, will certainly have to behave now that he’s going to have a little one to take care of.

He has found himself in trouble on a number of occasions in the last year, most notably with Giovanni Trappattoni when he tweeted about his anger at not being chosen in the first 11 of the national squad.