Football concerns were put aside as Loris Karius left hospital with partner Diletta Leotta and their newborn daughter Aria on Tuesday.
The Newcastle United goalkeeper, 30, beamed as he carried the baby car seat from a local maternity ward into their waiting vehicle, five days after the couple welcomed their first child in a series of social media posts.
Joining the keeper as well was new mum Leotta, 31 – a TV presenter in her native Italy – in an oversized baseball shirt looking fresh and vibrant as they prepared to head home.
The couple have been together since October last year and confirmed Leotta’s pregnancy earlier this year.
In a recent interview with Grazia Italy, Leotta, presenter of DAZN’s Serie A coverage, spoke about how she was subjected to offensive chanting while moderating matches.
Proud parents: Football concerns were put aside as Loris Karius left hospital with partner Diletta Leotta and their newborn daughter on Tuesday
Hands on: The Newcastle United goalkeeper carried his daughter’s car seat from a local maternity ward into her waiting vehicle
Overjoyed: Karius posed for a photo with Aria before leaving the hospital on Tuesday
Leotta also shared a particular incident when she was a teenager.
“I had an ugly experience when I was young,” she said. “My gym teacher slapped my butt and said something like, ‘You make me dunk the cookie.’
“I didn’t understand what he was trying to tell me, I just didn’t get it.”
Leotta’s father was a lawyer and the teacher was immediately suspended and left the school.
She also spoke about how a high school teacher accused her of “distracting class” for wearing leggings before gym class.
Leotta further recalled the first time she met German goalkeeper Karius, who signed for Newcastle last September after his Liverpool career faltered after two disastrous errors in the 2018 Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.
“I was in Paris with some friends for the fashion shows and we went to the Hotel Costes for dinner,” she said.
“Then as he entered, he lit up the room as if the sun had come in. I said to the girls, “Look, the man of my life has come in.”
Looking good: Alongside the keeper, new mum Leotta – a TV presenter in her native Italy – looked fresh and vibrant in an oversized baseball shirt as they prepared to head home
Delighted: The couple confirmed the birth of their daughter in a series of Instagram posts
Happy couple: Karius and Leotta have been together since October last year and confirmed their pregnancy earlier this year
After a tumultuous few years in his career, sparked by a nightmarish performance in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid, Karius is currently at Eddie Howes Newcastle.
Before meeting Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final, he had not played a competitive game for two years.
His chance to play came after Nick Pope was dramatically sent off in the Liverpool defeat for playing the ball outside the box.
Martin Dubravka, meanwhile, is Newcastle’s second choice but was ineligible to play as he had previously played for Manchester United this competitive season and was level on points in the cup.
During the game, Karius conceded two goals, giving United the victory and the cup title.
Before the League Cup, his last game for an English club was the Champions League final with Liverpool in 2018.
He made two mistakes that resulted in goals in Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat that night and drew heavy criticism.
Since then, the German goalkeeper has spent stints on loan at Turkish club Besiktas and German club Union Berlin before arriving at St James’ Park.
Opening up: Leotta, host of DAZN’s Series A coverage, recently spoke about how she was exposed to offensive chants while hosting games
Shot stopper: Karius saves for Newcastle in Carabao Cup final against Man United