Gareth Bale rents $500k island to propose to girlfriend

Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale splashed the cash after renting a luxury Spanish island to propose to his long-time girlfriend.

The Wales forward, who was also celebrating his 27th birthday, rented the island of Tagomago for a staggering $500,000 to ask Emma Rhys-Jones to marry him.

Thankfully for Bale it turned out to be money well spent.

The island includes a five-bedroom villa styled by world-leading interior designers. There are also spacious terraces and a large swimming pool for visitors to enjoy. The getaway comes complete with a helipad for easy access.

They were joined during the week-long trip by a handful of close friends and family to help them celebrate the engagement and Bale's birthday.

In addition to earning nearly $400,000 a week at the Bernabeu, Bale was handed a $660,000 bonus after Real Madrid's Champions League success in May.

He was one of the stars of the recent Euro 2016 tournament, scoring three goals as Wales reached the semi-finals.

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The newly-engaged couple have been together since they were teenagers, having met at school in Cardiff.

They have two children together - three-year old Alba Violet and Nava Valentina, who was born in March this year.

It’s actually the second time Bale has popped the question. He originally proposed to Rhys-Jones back in 2013, but the couple postponed the wedding after Emma's dad, Martin, was arrested on suspicion of a $4 million global fraud.

He pleaded guilty to the scam earlier this year and faces up to 10 years in jail. He is set to be sentenced during August.