ASHLEY Cain has admitted he's had a 'turbulent time' after the birth of his son - Aliyas Diamond Cain.
The former Coventry City footballer from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, announced the birth of his son on Thursday - just two years on since the tragic loss of his daughter Azaylia.
Ashley has not yet revealed the identity of the mother of his son.
He and ex-partner Safiyya Vorajee lost their daughter Azaylia to leukaemia in 2021 when she was just eight months old.
Last month Safiyya exclusively told The Sun of her heartache after learning Ashley was expecting a baby boy with another woman.
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Taking to his Instagram Stories on Saturday, Ashley thanked fans for supporting him and said his son's birth had been "worth all the sticks, stones and storms".
He wrote: "A heartfelt thank you to you all for the love, support and kind messages I've received over the last few days. It has been a turbulent time as you can imagine.
"But one that has been worth all of the sticks, the stones and the storms that have come with it. I am a proud and loving father to both of my children and nothing will ever change that.
"So all that matters to me now is honouring my daughter in heaven and nurturing my son on earth. No matter what, MY KIDS COME FIRST. It's that simple."
Ashley announced the birth of his son on Instagram with a photo of him holding the tot's hand.
Alongside the snap, he wrote: Aliyas Diamond Cain- 16.01.24, 4:32am, 9lbs 3oz. I will love you, appreciate you, guide you and protect you with all of my heart, for the rest of my life.
"& you will have the most beautiful guardian angel heaven holds watching over you and protecting you too.
"Welcome to the world my son. May your body be strong, your mind be wise, your heart be loving and your spirit be pure and truly powerful."
The proud dad then explained the reasoning behind Aliyas' name.
He wrote: "What the letter 'A' holds is a family tradition, being the first letter of my father's and all my uncles' first names.
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"The name 'Diamond' is from my grandma and their mother. It's our family name along with Cain. It's our Vincentian roots, all the way from our small island and from our great people."