RYAN Giggs was said to be "nervous" about what his kids would think as he prepares to become a dad for the third time aged 50.

The former Manchester United star and girlfriend Zara Charles, 36, are due to welcome the new arrival together later this year.

Giggs is already dad to Sheffield United footballer son Zach, 17, plus daughter Libby, 19, from his marriage to Stacey Cooke.

Friends of the couple have said they are thrilled and eagerly anticipating the birth of their child.

But the footballing legend was reportedly "nervous" at first when thinking about how his kids would take the news, according to a source.

A source said: “Ryan was nervous about what his kids would think but they’ve got to know Zara over the last few years and really like her.

“They’re happy because they know he’s happy.

“But they’ve joked that he might struggle with the early mornings and lack of sleep."

Lingerie model Zara — his partner since 2021 — also has a daughter from a previous marriage.

It means that when the baby is born their combined brood will be four.

The couple live in a £2.1million, seven-bedroom mansion which Giggs bought last year.

And they are said to have a "solid loving relationship" which is thriving on the simple things in life.

The source added: "Ryan and Zara are thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents again.

“They have a very solid, loving relationship and are building a long-term future together.

"Their life is very simple, they go for walks, they go for coffees and love keeping fit.”

A separate source said Stacey — who divorced Giggs in 2017 after ten years of marriage — has also given her blessing.

Stacey and Ryan divorced in 2017 after it was revealed he had been having an eight-year affair with his brother's wife, Natasha.

The marriage survived the affair but they separated in 2016.

According to Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers, the divorce could have cost Ryan £20million, but the pair's lawyers said they remained "firm friends".

Stacey, Giggs and Zara spent Christmas together in December 2022 as a “blended family”, a source confirmed.

They added: “Stacey approves of Zara. Her and Ryan have been through a lot but they have moved on and she’s only interested in him being happy, because that makes him a good dad to their kids.

"There is no animosity.”

In November Giggs celebrated his 50th birthday with a trip to Dubai with Zara, who surprised him by having red rose petals scattered across their hotel bed.

She posted: “Yesterday was my best friend’s Big Birthday. Happy 50th, Ryan.

"So grateful we got to spend it in one of our happy places. I will love you forever.”

Last month it emerged Giggs - who is one of the Premier League's most decorated players - was working again as Salford City’s director of football.

Giggs is co-owner of the League Two club along with his ex-United team-mates Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.