FORMER Saints star Theo Walcott and his wife Mel have become parents for the first time.

The 24-year-old announced the birth of Finley on his Facebook page this evening.

In a short message, he wrote: "So over the moon to announce the birth of our baby boy Finley born this morning.... It's amazing to be mummy & daddy!

"Love him so much x".

Theo, who played for Saints before leaving for Arsenal in 2006, met Mel nine years ago when she was working as a sales assistant at Claire's Accessories in WestQuay shopping centre.

Mel is the daughter of former Southampton mayor John Slade.

They tied the knot in a ceremony in the Italian region of Tuscany in June last year.