One Direction Member Liam Payne Welcomes Son With Cheryl Cole [PHOTO]

One Direction member Liam Payne just welcomed his son with his girlfriend, Cheryl Cole.

On his Instagram account, the 23-year-old singer posted an adorable photo of himself carrying the newborn. Payne captioned the lengthy post by expressing his love for his son, as well as Cole. He also thanked her for being a trooper throughout her entire pregnancy journey. Payne’s girlfriend also shared the same photo and revealed that their son was born on Wednesday, March 22.

According to People, it was only in November 2016 that reports started swirling about Cole’s pregnancy. But the former Girls Aloud member only confirmed it in February. The couple first met in 2010, but only started dating last year. Seven years ago, Payne competed on the “X-Factor” where Cole served as a judge.

Read: Liam Payne, Cherly Cole expecting a baby?

In May, Payne gushed over Cole, whom he called the “most beautiful girlfriend in the world” while at an event organized by “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria.

In an interview with Rollercoaster magazine earlier this month, the “Story of My Life” singer said that Cole is his dream girl. “She is a wonderful, wonderful person and it’s amazing to have someone who can relate to so much of things – someone who’s taken greater steps than me. Her solo career was amazing. She’s been in the industry for 14 years now… She fully supports me. We’re super happy. It’s a very personal, precious time for us. I’m still learning. I’m only 23,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cole also opened up about her desire to become a mom in a 2012 interview with GQ. “I love kids. I’m obsessed with babies. I know that’s what I was put on the Earth to do – to be a mother,” she said.