Dan Carter announces son's birth

Dan Carter has announced the safe arrival of 'healthy and handsome' son Fox. Photo / NZ Herald / Jason Oxenham

Rugby star Dan Carter has taken to social media to announce the birth of his second child.

Carter, 33, posted a photo of his newborn son's foot to his Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages earlier this morning.

We're excited to announce the birth of our 2nd son, Fox William Carter, born 3rd April, healthy & handsome. pic.twitter.com/ggWsKQEf4z

— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) April 5, 2015

"We're excited to announce the birth of our 2nd son, Fox William Carter, born 3rd April, healthy & handsome."

This is the second son for Carter and his wife Honor. Their first son, Marco James, was born in 2013.

Carter flew home from the Crusaders' tour of South Africa last week on paternity leave to await the birth his second child.

He was replaced in the Crusaders' travelling squad by Nathanial Apa.