CODY GAKPO AND PARTNER ANNOUNCE LOSS OF BABY SON

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo and his girlfriend Noa van der Bij have announced the loss of their baby son during pregnancy. Van der Bij shared the news on Instagram on Saturday, stating that their unborn child had died in utero. The couple named their son Elijah Raphael Gakpo and said they were grateful for support from others. Gakpo issued a separate statement requesting privacy and space for his family during the difficult time.

Van der Bij and Gakpo had announced they were expecting their second child together four weeks prior, following the birth of their first son, Samuel Seth, in 2018. In their initial announcement on 30 May, the couple wrote that their family was growing and they could not wait to meet their new baby. Van der Bij later shared on Instagram that she and Gakpo had visited a church together, lit a candle, and walked to the church playground with Samuel, where they encountered another child named Elijah. She described this as a meaningful sign from God that their baby was never far away.

Gakpo is currently in the United States with the Netherlands national team for World Cup duties. The Dutch side finished top of Group F following a draw with Japan and victories over Sweden and Tunisia. Four days before the announcement, Gakpo did not board the Netherlands team bus for a training session and instead arrived by car. The Dutch football association confirmed that Gakpo had not been absent without permission but did not provide further details about the incident.