SOCCER superstar David Beckham was positively beaming yesterday as he emerged from a London hospital and delivered his verdict on the birth of his second son, Romeo.

"He's gorgeous," he told the clamouring media.

"It's always nervous having children - but it's the most beautiful thing in the world," said the 27-year-old England captain.

"Romeo's gorgeous. Victoria's great. She's sitting up in bed and the family are here."

Romeo was born at 9.40am yesterday at the private Portland Hospital in London - the latest addition to the Beckham household weighing in at 7lb 4oz.

Beckham was at the birth, having travelled to be at his wife's side after playing in Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Sunderland, on Wearside, on Saturday.

Victoria, 28, had been admitted to the exclusive hospital early yesterday morning and gave birth by Caesarean section on medical advice.

It is the second time she has undergone the procedure - the couple's first child, Brooklyn, was a breech birth and delivered by Caesarean at the same hospital in March 1999.

Beckham, who has been viewed by many as an ideal father since Brooklyn was born, said the couple chose the name Romeo purely because they liked it.

Brooklyn, now three, was said by his father to be delighted to have a younger brother and had been with his mother in the later stages of the operation.

The footballer, looking relaxed in a white sweatshirt, jeans and woollen hat, added: "Romeo looks like Brooklyn. He's got Brooklyn's nose and Victoria's chin."