Man Utd Star Ryan Giggs and Estranged Wife Stacey Cooke Granted Divorce

Ryan Giggs’ prolonged £40 million divorce from estranged wife Stacey Cooke has reached its conclusion as she is granted a decree nisi proceeding in London earlier this morning.

The former Manchester United and Wales midfielder, 43, has been locked in a lengthy court battle with Stacey aged 39, over a share of his fortune, earned during a trophy-laden 24-year career.

Giggs’ unstable seven-year marriage to Stacey, with whom he shares two children, had previously weathered a series of potentially damaging storms, including his eight-year affair with younger brother, Rhodri’s wife Natasha Lever.

A six-month fling with Welsh TV personality Imogen Thomas, best known for an appearance on reality show Big Brother, was also exposed despite the retired sportsman obtaining a gagging order.

Recall Stacey had revealed that her estranged hubby was impossible to live with and behaved unreasonably during their seven years of being together. The mother of two was obviously displeased with Ryan.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS as Janet Jackson & Estranged Husband Wissam Al Mana Begin Divorce Proceedings

According to BBCNews, the couple finally separated last April following his alleged flirting with a waitress employed at George’s, the upmarket Manchester restaurant he opened in 2014.

READ ALSO: Mel B & Stephen Belafonte Divorce Update: Mel B to Pay Hubby Temporary Support

Giggs, who stands to lose a share of his fortune, initially argued that he made a ‘special contribution’ to the creation of wealth during his marriage to estranged wife Stacey.

A judge overseeing the dispute at hearings in the Family Division heard that Giggs would call witnesses to support his ‘special contribution’ claim at any trial. This will be done privately today.

READ ALSO: Angry Exes: T.I. & Tiny Fight Over Parenting Their Baby Amidst Divorce Proceedings

Specialist lawyers said that millionaires must show that they have a spark of ‘money-making genius’ to persuade divorce court judges to give them the lion’s share of a marital fortune.

According to the judge, their financial remedy proceedings are being pursued in the English courts, are pieces of information already in the public domain, and the publication of that information cannot legitimately be restrained by order.

Photo credit: Instagram