Man City star Kyle Walker issues public apology to 'amazing' wife as he breaks silence following split

The Blues captain and England defender has spoken for the first time since news of their separation became public

Kyle Walker has publicly apologised to his 'amazing' wife after it emerged this week that the pair had separated.

Annie Kilner, 33, announced on Wednesday that she was 'taking some time away' from the 33-year-old Manchester City captain and England star. Walker has now spoken out in what is his first public statement on the split.

In a post on Instagram, he said: "Annie is an amazing woman and I can only apologise for the upset I've caused her. She's been part of my life for so long and that will never change for the sake of our children.

"I would ask for privacy for all of our family, and especially our young children, whilst we work through these difficult times."

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The pair, who met as teenagers and tied the knot in 2021, have three sons together. Announcing their split on social media on Wednesday, mum-of-three Ms Kilner revealed Kyle was no longer living at the family's £2.5million property in Cheshire.

According to reports, he has moved into a luxury apartment in the village of Prestbury, near Macclesfield, following the separation. Announcing the news, Annie told her Instagram followers: "I am posting this in response to growing recent media enquiries about my marriage to Kyle and in an effort to protect my family against the intensity of the media spotlight.

"Sadly, after many years of marriage and three wonderful children together; I have decided to take some time away from Kyle. I do not wish to comment on the position any further. For now, I ask that the privacy of myself and our three young children is respected during this difficult time."

It comes amid newspaper reports of alleged infidelity by Walker during their relationship. Just last month, Kyle denied he had split from Annie. "We haven't split. I'm here at my family home, aren't I?" Kyle said outside his family's Cheshire mansion in December, after being quizzed by The Sun about reports he and Annie had called time on their romance.