Bermudian soccer professional Shaun Goater was launched into a new career yesterday -- fatherhood! The Manchester City and Bermuda striker, and wife Anita, welcomed the birth of twin girls, their first children. Both are pictured above during celebrations in Bermuda earlier this year honouring Goater's role in City's successful promotion to the English Premier League.

Details on the names and birth weights of the newborns were unavailable, as attempts to contact Goater were unsuccessful. Goater was reportedly maintaining a close vigil over wife and children.

First indication of the impending delivery of the twins came early yesterday morning, with the news that Goater would not be travelling to Sheffield Wednesday for last night's reserves clash.

Goater, the leading First Division scorer last season with 29 goals, has not played a single first team match this term after suffering a knee injury during a pre-season tour, resulting in surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period.

He has only recently resumed full training with the squad and has appeared in one reserves match to date.

The striker, whose role has been assumed by former world player of the year George Weah of Liberia, is short on match fitness and his return is still weeks away.