Paralyzed Footy Star Alex McKinnon Engaged to Lily Malone in Paris

Former Newcastle Knights NRL star Alex McKinnon, 33, is set to tie the knot with his glamorous 23-year-old girlfriend Lily Malone.

The happy couple made the engagement announcement on Sunday in a joint post on their social media.

In the caption, a delighted Lily indicated that her beau popped the question on October 28, while the pair were enjoying a getaway to Paris, France.

To celebrate the landmark moment, Alex and Lily included a gallery of photos where they could be seen packing on the PDA against a backdrop of famous landmarks.

One photo, shared to Instagram, shows Lily standing in front of the Louvre Museum flaunting her impressive engagement ring.

She also shared a close-up of the lavish rock, which features a large diamond on a gold band. 

Other images commemorate Alex’s proposal, which appears to have taken place at night during a trip to the Louvre.

One emotional photo shows Lily holding up the ring to her smiling face, while another shows her gently caressing her sweetheart’s face while sitting on his lap.

Lily looked gorgeous for the occasion, in a white sleeveless short dress.

Alex wore black trousers and a cream cardigan and a matching shirt.

‘To say we are excited is an understatement,’ wrote a member of Lily’s family in the comments section.  

‘You two are very special,’ they continued, ‘we are so happy for you and welcome you into our family Alex.’

Many other followers and friends sent messages of congratulations.

‘The best news,’ wrote one friend, while another gushed: ‘Oh my GOODNESSSS!!! Congratulations, you guys.’

It comes after the pair hinted that they were headed for the altar very soon.

Lily published a video clip of her and her boyfriend on TikTok in early October, enjoying a glass of wine while sharing a kiss.

She added a caption to the video that read: ‘Surely I’m not the only one who thinks my hand would look a lot better with a ring on it.’ 

Alex also republished the video clip on his Instagram story.

Lily was revealed to be the new love in the life of quadriplegic former NRL player Alex McKinnon last year.

The one-time footy player and fellow University of Newcastle student Lily, shared an image with their arms around one another in March 2024. 

Alex posted the picture of them both dressed in pink at Lily’s 22nd birthday party just hours before the NRL season opener kicked off in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Moments later, Lily debuted Alex on her own Instagram page, sharing the same photo with a love heart emoji.

Lily’s mum Monique, did not deny the pair were an item when contacted by Daily Mail Australia shortly after the share.

‘I won’t comment on their relationship, that’s up to them to comment,’ Mrs Malone said at the time.

Lily Malone was studying a bachelor’s degree in social work at University of Newcastle at the time, while Alex was taking psychology studies there, as well as working for Fox Sports as an analyst.

Lily, who works as a family contact worker at Life Without Barriers, is now a social worker.

‘In collaboration with a small, dedicated team, I’ve developed an eight-session program tailored to the unique needs of ‘Parents of First Time Youth Offenders Within a Domestic Violence Context,’ she posted to her LinkedIn page last year.

Alex’s romance comes after he split from his ex-wife Teigan Power in January 2022 after five years of marriage, three children and his own horrific on-field footy accident that left him a quadriplegic.

As they parted ways, both parties confirmed the split was amicable and that they remained committed to co-parenting their children, twins Audrey and Violet, and eldest daughter Harriet.

Power went public with her new love Jake Nelson late last year.