Footballer Jermain Defoe has paid tribute to his “best friend” Bradley Lowery.
The six-year-old Sunderland fan died on Friday following a fight with neuroblastoma – a rare type of cancer.
The club’s former striker struck up a close friendship with the avid Black Cats fan and club mascot in the months before his death.
A tweet by the 34-year-old described Bradley as a “little superstar”.
Sleep tight little one… ???? pic.twitter.com/iGqLXdvlVi
— Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) July 8, 2017
It said the youngster’s “courage and bravery will inspire me for the rest of my life”.
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He wrote: “Goodbye my friend, gonna miss you lots. I feel so blessed God brought u into my life and had some amazing moments with u and for that I’m so grateful”.
'I love you' – Watch the heartwarming moment we surprised @IAmJermainDefoe with this special message from his best pal @bradleysfight ???? pic.twitter.com/7WOZMLgzDb
— Lorraine on ITV (@ITVLorraine) April 6, 2017
Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, was diagnosed with the disease when he was 18 months old. He underwent treatment and was in remission, but relapsed last year.
His plight touched the lives of many, and well-wishers raised more than £700,000 in 2016 to pay for him to be given antibody treatment in New York.
???? Happy Birthday to my best mate @Bradleysfight. Hope you have a special day and I'll see you later this week…❤ #HappyBirthdayBrad pic.twitter.com/ugokGgdMS9
— Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) May 17, 2017
But medics then found his cancer had grown and his family was informed his illness was terminal.
His death was confirmed on social media by his parents.
I hope you had an amazing day @Bradleysfight. It was perfect to walk out at @wembleystadium with you… ⚽❤ #BestMates #England pic.twitter.com/mFBpy1MK02
— Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) March 26, 2017
The posting read: “My brave boy has went with the angels today.
“He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where. There are no words to describe how heart broken we are.”
Tributes have poured in to the football fan, including one from his beloved club which said: “Bradley captured the hearts and minds of everyone.”
The England football squad, for which Bradley was also a mascot, tweeted: “There’s only one Bradley Lowery.”
