Michael Phelps and wife Nicole welcome third child and reveal name in a very unusual way

Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps has become a dad-of-three, after his wife Nicole gave birth to their new bundle of joy.

The former professional swimmer shared the happy news on social media, revealing that their baby boy arrived safely.

He also seemingly revealed that the baby name they picked in a very unusual manner  - by tagging Maverick on the post! It seems like the social media-savvy dad is trying to make his newborn an influencer, and the account named @mavericknphelps already has 18,000 followers.

Alongside a picture of the new family of five, he wrote: ‘Family of 5! Welcome @mavericknphelps to the world! Born 9-9-19.

‘Mama and baby are healthy and the boys are pumped to be big bros! #housefullofboys.’

His wife Nicole also shared the happy news on her own profile, saying: ‘We welcomed Maverick Nicolas Phelps into the world on 9/9/19 at 36 weeks and 2 days. Our lil big man was 6lb 5o and 20". He instantly has stolen all of our hearts and keeps me an ecstatic mommy of boys.

‘I can't wait to walk this journey surrounded by my men. #familyof5.’

Michael, who announced they would be welcoming a third child back in April, has previously opened up about fatherhood, saying that both he and his wife are learning as they go.

‘Nobody can really prepare you for it, you're going through it and you're learning as you go’, he told the Today show.

‘Watching her as a parent, watching her as a mom, she's the best. She's always reading things and just trying to make sure that his life is the best that we can make it.’

Michael married his wife Nicole, who is a former Miss California, in a secret ceremony in June 2016, just one month after their first son, Boomer Robert Phelps, was born.

They also welcomed their second son, Beckett Richard Phelps, last February.

Congratulations to Michael and his expanding family!