AT HOME IN LONDON WITH HER PREMIER LEAGUE STAR HUSBAND ALPHONSE MARRION AREOLA VALETTE THE MODEL MUM ON FAMILY GOALS, GLAMOUR AND STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT TO FULFIL HER DREAM

The halls are decked with boughs of holly, bows, beads, trees and twinkling fairy lights at the beautiful North London home Marrion Areola Valette shares with her Premier League footballer husband Alphonse Areola and their three adorable daughters.

- BELINDA ROBEY

The French-born couple, who met 12 years ago in West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse's native Paris, bought their "maison de rêve", situated in an exclusive part of the capital, this summer largely because its nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms and four spacious living areas could amply accommodate their extended family when they visit.

And next week that will be tested in spectacular style when 20 of Alphonse and Marrion's nearest and dearest converge on them for a festive celebration to cherish.

KICKING OFF CHRISTMAS

"Our first Christmas in our new house is going to be so special," says Marrion, 35, as she and Alphonse, 30, welcome HELLO! for this exclusive interview and photoshoot with their girls AyleenGrace, eight, Aymma-Lyse, six and three-year-old Ayva-May.

"The girls love having all the family around and the atmosphere is always so great. Christmas is a busy time in football, so it will be so nice for the girls and me to have a houseful. Alphonse is also very family orientated, so we are all very excited about Christmas this year."

Alphonse's career has seen him play for Paris Saint-Ger with whose academy he started out before turning professional) and Bastia in France, as well as the national team, and clubs including Spain's Real Madrid and Villareal, England's Fulham and now West Ham, with whom he signed in June 2022 on a five-year deal.

So Marrion has upped sticks and relocated nine times since the couple got together.

While choosing to embrace this as "life enriching", the seemingly unflappable former financial adviser, who quit her own flourishing career to travel with her husband, admits she is hoping this latest house move will be their last for some time.

"It would be nice for the girls to be settled but the reality is, with football, you never know," she tells HELLO!. "I always try to think positive about it for Alphonse.