His romantic misdemeanours are almost as famous as his footballing exploits and jaw-droppingly huge wage packet.
But when England’s Kyle Walker took his heartbroken wife Annie on holiday last week to try to patch up their relationship, he did not plump for Barbados or the Balearic Islands – but a caravan park in North Wales.
Walker, 34, paid an estimated £160,000 a week, has endured a torrid 12 months – including the shock news he had fathered not one but two children with another woman, prompting Annie, 32, to throw him out of their Cheshire home.
When Kyle Walker took his heartbroken wife Annie on holiday last week to try to patch up their relationship, he did not plump for Barbados or the Balearic Islands – but a caravan park in North Wales
Now the star right-back is working to rekindle their 15-year relationship, which is why he took Annie and their four boys – including their latest addition Rezon who was born in April – to the traditional resort of Abersoch.
With the European Football Championship finals – Euro 24 – starting tomorrow week, the Walkers made a 130-mile trip from their £4million home to The Warren, a resort sometimes described as ‘the millionaires’ caravan park’.
A friend of the couple said: ‘They haven’t been able to spend a lot of time together despite everything that’s been going on. This was supposed to be a chance to share time with their children. Obviously, Kyle hopes it will help him get his feet back under the table.
Abersoch, on a part of the coast known as the Welsh Riviera, is a traditional resort increasingly popular with upmarket visitors
‘Since Rezon was born, he has been a hands-on dad. He’s trying to make amends and hoped Annie might soften if they went somewhere they all love as a family.’
Abersoch, on a part of the coast known as the Welsh Riviera, is a traditional resort increasingly popular with upmarket visitors. Swanky beach houses let for thousands of pounds a week have sprung up alongside the bungalows and caravan parks once associated with the area.
Locals now complain the town is swamped with tourists in the summer, including a ‘yachtie crowd’ and many families from London.
Manchester City footballer Walker with he and Annie’s fourth child, Rezon, who was born in April
Famous for its sandy beaches and unspoilt coastline, Abersoch is also a favourite of former footballer Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen. Aside from its spa, bar and restaurant, The Warren offers a ‘gaming zone’ and skate park, which might suit the Walkers’ three other sons, Roman, 11, Riaan, seven, and Reign, five.
The friend continued: ‘Sometimes you just want to go somewhere where the kids can have some fun. Their children are what Kyle and Annie have in common and seeing them happy is the most important thing.
‘Yes, they could have flown to a posh hotel in Dubai but, actually, being together on a normal-ish family holiday has been a great tonic for them.’ Last week’s break would have been particularly welcome for Annie, who has spent months entangled in a very public love triangle.
The England defender had an affair with Lauryn Goodman, who has two children with the footballer
She was said to have been ‘in bits’ when, shortly after Christmas, she was told her husband and former teenage sweetheart had fathered a child with ‘influencer’ Lauryn Goodman.
The baby girl, now nine months old, had apparently been conceived when the footballer travelled to London for treatment on an injury. To make matters still more hurtful, this was the second time that Walker had fathered a child with Lauryn.
The 33-year-old had first become pregnant with son Kairo, now four, when Kyle and Annie had temporarily separated in 2019 before marrying two years later.
Discovering that he had cheated on her for a second time with Lauryn, Annie demanded he leave and Walker spent time living in a nearby flat.
A public battle between the two women followed – one which gathered force when it emerged that Annie was pregnant with the couple’s fourth child.
Famous for its sandy beaches and unspoilt coastline, Abersoch is also a favourite of former footballer Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen
He found himself at loggerheads with the mistress, too, complaining at one point that she was harassing him and had issued a series of ‘unrealistic’ demands in return for ensuring that the paternity of their second child remained secret, allegations Lauryn denied.
In response to the claims, a source close to Goodman said: ‘Lauryn isn’t interested in getting attention. Lauryn strongly denies she has ever harassed anyone.
‘She chose to end her relationship with Kyle.’
Swanky beach houses let for thousands of pounds a week have sprung up alongside the bungalows and caravan parks once associated with the area
Despite the situation, the footballer was by Annie’s side when she gave birth to Rezon. And according to their friends, ‘he has barely left it ever since’.
One of the world’s most highly rated defenders, Walker – who recently won the Premier League with Manchester City – is set to be a key part of England’s Euro 24 campaign.
It is more than likely that Annie’s next trip will be to Germany to cheer her husband on.
Lauryn, meanwhile, has reportedly struck a deal to appear in a reality show about her life and promises to be at the matches.
The friend added: ‘It is a bit of a relief that Annie got her rest and relaxation in before the Euros – because it could be hard work with Lauryn in the same stadium.’
