The 22-year-old stepped up in the early hours of Thursday morning when his wife went into late stage labour and he did not have time to get her to hospital.

According to Forest Green boss Robbie Savage, Buyabu rang him at 06:50 GMT on Thursday morning to say he had delivered his own child before paramedics could get there.

"Jili Buyabu had rung me at a quarter to 12 [on Wednesday] saying I've got to take my partner to the hospital as she's due but it was a false alarm," Savage told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"He woke me up this morning at 10 to seven and said 'gaffer, I've just delivered the baby. I said 'What you?' And he said, 'yeah'.

"He was with his partner, the contractions started and he didn't have time to get to the hospital or get the paramedics there so Jili has actually delivered the baby.

"When the paramedics got there he put them on the phone and he said 'tell him'. They said yes he's delivered the baby. At 22 years of age I am so proud of him. For him to do that it is a brilliant story."

Mother, baby and defender are all doing well according to the Forest Green boss who said Buyabu will get the rest of the day off before reporting back to training.

Forest Green, who are fifth in the National League and pushing for promotion, face mid-table Aldershot at home on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Buyabu, who has been on loan from Sheffield United all season, is in line for a starting berth.