Kyle Walker admits to ‘idiot choices’ when betraying 'soulmate' Annie Kilner as Man City defender opens up on 'slow death' of their relationship while he tried to hide fathering second child with Lauryn Goodman

The 33-year-old England international has split with wife Kilner and is living alone in a rented £3 million ($4m) property away from all five of his children – with Annie expecting another in March. Walker admits that he has brought those problems on himself, with divorce now a distinct possibility.

Walker has told The Sun of ostracising Kilner with his infidelity: “What I’ve done is horrible and I take full responsibility. I made idiot choices and idiot decisions. I can’t begin to think or imagine what Annie is going through. I’ve tried to ask her but there’s pain and hurt. The man that’s meant to love, care and be there for her, did this. There have been days in this ordeal where I’ve just wanted to curl up in a ball and go to sleep. The only person to blame is me. I have roles and responsibilities that I’m aware of and I’ve made stupid choices. But I need to own up to my mistakes — I owe it to everyone. My actions have caused a lot of pain to a lot of people. I’m sorry because, as a family, this isn’t meant to happen.”

Kilner opted to walk away from Walker after discovering that he had fathered a second child with 32-year-old model Goodman. She is now pregnant herself, with Walker adding on breaking up his family unit - with Annie discovering that her husband had cheated again in an Instagram message from Goodman: “It was a slow death for me and for Annie. It was selfish. I didn’t tell her because I wanted to be with her and the kids. Should she have heard it from Lauryn? No, no. That was the least I owed her. I was aware that the clock was ticking and I still chose not to tell Annie. It pains me to think (of how she is coping while pregnant). I’ve never not been there. To not be there when she needs me the most, but to know that you’ve caused that hurt, that’s something I have to live with now.”

Walker concedes that his relationship with Kilner may now be broken beyond repair, going on to say: “Would people think she was mad to take me back? One million per cent. People are entitled to their opinions, but they don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. We’re not perfect. Everyone goes through ups and downs in life. But I wouldn’t blame her if she divorced me. I would understand that she had got to a point where enough was enough. I have to respect her decision. I wouldn’t be angry or shocked if she did. The ball is firmly in her court on what she decides to do with the future.”

Off-field issues have become a distraction for Walker, but he remains a regular under Pep Guardiola at City – as they look to defend Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup crowns in 2024 – while also looking to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate’s plans for this summer’s European Championship.