Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and his long-term girlfriend Noa van der Bij have revealed the heartbreaking loss of their unborn son during pregnancy.
The couple shared the devastating news on Instagram this afternoon, announcing that their baby boy, whom they had named Elijah Raphael Gakpo, had died.
Van der Bij wrote: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy.
"Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."
Noa van der Bij revealed the tragic loss of her unborn son on social media
|The announcement comes just weeks after the pair had joyfully revealed they were expecting their second child together, having shared the news on 30 May.
In a subsequent post, van der Bij shared a moving account of visiting a church to light a candle in memory of their son.
She described how the family, including their son Samuel, walked to the church playground afterwards, where they encountered just one other child playing.
"His name was Elijah," she wrote.
"There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away."
She wrote: "There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away."
|The touching coincidence provided the grieving couple with a moment of comfort amid their profound loss.
Van der Bij, who works in the modelling industry, had been in Texas supporting Gakpo from the stands during the World Cup.
Gakpo and van der Bij are already parents to a son, Samuel Seth, who was born in 2018. When announcing their pregnancy last month, the couple had posted: "Our little family is growing. We can't wait to meet you."
The 25-year-old Dutch international is currently representing the Netherlands at the World Cup, having featured in Thursday's 3-1 victory over Tunisia which secured top spot in Group F for his nation.
Gakpo made the move to Merseyside from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 in a deal worth approximately £40 million and has established himself as a regular starter for the club during his time at Anfield.