Controversial footy great Wayne Carey, 53, welcomes second child with girlfriend Jessica Paulke after brief split

Wayne Carey is now a father of four, welcoming his second child with girlfriend Jessica Paulke.

The controversial AFL star, 53, and his 33-year-old partner had a healthy baby boy that was delivered via C-section on Wednesday, January 15.

Carey confirmed the news with the Herald Sun but did not reveal his name.

The couple, who dated for a number of years and already share five-year-old son Carter, announced they were expecting back in August.

'We are both incredibly ecstatic, as is Carter who is looking forward to having a sibling in January,' Wayne told the Herald Sun at the time.

'Mum is healthy and happy,' the former footballer added of his model partner.

Wayne and Jessica got back together in 2023, after his whirlwind fling with Catie O'Neill came crashing down.

The athlete quickly moved on from his TikTok flame, 30, and fell back into the arms of his son Carter's mother, reported the Herald Sun at the time.

The pair were keeping things under wraps as they reignited their romance.

Wayne and Jessica were first spotted getting cosy at the Australian Open in January 2018.

The Victorian model fell pregnant the same year, and welcomed their first child, Carter in February 2019.

Wayne also shares a 18-year-old daughter, Ella, with his first wife Sally McMahon and nine-year-old Charlotte Milla with former fiancée Stephanie Edwards.

It's unclear when Wayne and Jessica initially split up, but he went public with his relationship with Catie in March 2023.

The pair first met in January at a local tavern when he was hosting an event.

However, the pair called time on their whirlwind romance in August last year when Catie 'moved on', reported the Herald Sun.

Carey was previously married to his longtime partner Sally McMahon, tying the knot in 2001 after meeting at a party in Wagga Wagga when he had just turned 20 and she was 17.

But the couple's relationship soon hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Just one year after tying the knot, the North Melbourne captain was involved in a sordid affair with his former teammate Antony Stevens' wife, Kelli.

Carey and Sally did manage to mend their relationship and had a daughter, Ella, before parting ways in 2006 - only months after her birth.