LONDON, July 18 — Gareth Bale has announced his engagement to long-term girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones.

The Welsh and Real Madrid star, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, revealed the happy news on Twitter yesterday.

He shared a collage with one photo showing Rhy-Jones holding up her hand to show off her engagement ring

He also wrote: "She said yes!! This is a birthday weekend I won’t forget for a long time.”

The couple have two daughters.

Bale, the world’s most expensive footballer at £85 million (RM447.9 million), was part of the Wales team that reached its first major tournament semi-final last month, losing to eventual winners Portugal at Euro 2016.