Rio Ferdinand ‘in tears’ as son Lorenz posts emotional message following engagement to Kate Wright

RIO Ferdinand shared a sweet message from his son Lorenz following his engagement to Kate Wright - confessing the poignant comment left him "emotional".

Yesterday the former Manchester United and England ace revealed he'd popped the question to the ex-Towie star during a break in Abu Dhabi, three years after his late wife Rebecca Ellison's death.

Taking to his Instagram story last night, 38-year-old Rio proved that Kate, 27, had his and Rebecca's children's seal of approval as he shared a screenshot of a comment that 12-year-old Lorenz had left on his engagement post.

The message read: "So glad she said yes, I am so proud of you dad, and Kate.

"Love you both so much."

Rio's son ended the message with two heart emojis.

The star commented on the screenshot: "My boy is trying to make his dad all emotional and s***", alongside a distressed and crying emoji.

Rio asked Kate to be his wife as his three children, Lorenz, nine-year-old Tate, and Tia, seven, watched during a family holiday.

Kate shared a selection of snaps online and told her followers: "The perfect end to our holiday ... How could the answer not be yes!"

Rio later posted the same pictures and told his fans that his three children had been in on his plan.

Rio explained: "She said yes! How these three kids kept it a secret I’ll never know!"

The star's late wife passed away following a battle with breast cancer in 2015 - but gave her blessing for her husband to marry again.

Speaking last year, Rio admitted that Rebecca had encouraged him to find love through her friend Lisa.

He told The Sun: "Rebecca told Lisa something in the final weeks of her life.

"Months later Lisa told me what it was... 'It kills me to think of Rio with a new partner, Lisa, you know it does. Of course it does.

"'But you know what kills me even more? Thinking of him alone and lonely.

"'If I don't make it, Lisa, I don't want Rio to be miserable. I want him to be happy.'"

He also opened up about falling for Kate in his autobiography, revealing he had turned to Lisa for advice.

The footie star wrote: "To my total surprise, I met someone and at first I wasn't sure I should let free my feelings.

"In an emotionally vulnerable state, one's judgement can be all over the place.

"I wanted to get to know this beautiful young woman better and, as I have done on occasions, turned to Lisa for advice.

"Of all the things Lisa has done for me, this may have been the hardest. Rebecca had been her best friend.

"It's a measure of Lisa's love that she put aside her feelings, offered friendship to this stranger and gave the relationship her whole-hearted encouragement. I will be forever in her debt."

Kate and Rio have been dating since late 2016, and she moved in with the ex-Manchester United star and his three children last year.

Reality star Kate gave up her spot on Towie to focus on the family but recently revealed his kids are desperate for the pair to have a child of their own.