‘We all miss and love you. I know God is taking care of you’: Former Premier League and England star Jermain Defoe pens a heartfelt tribute to ‘best friend’ Bradley Lowery on what would have been his ninth birthday
- Jermain Defoe shared a special relationship with Bradley Lowery before his tragic death from a rare cancer in 2017
- Defoe penned heartwarming message on what would’ve been his ninth birthday
- The former England striker wrote: ‘I hope you are smiling from heaven’
Jermain Defoe has penned a heartfelt tribute to his ‘best friend’ Bradley Lowery who would have celebrated his ninth birthday on Sunday.
Bradley bravely fought against a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma but tragically passed away in July 2017, aged six.
A devout Sunderland fan, Bradley’s hero was then Black Cats marksman Defoe and the pair quickly struck up a heartwarming relationship during the little boy’s desperate fight for life.
Former England international Jermain Defoe penned an emotional message to ‘best friend’ Bradley Lowery who would have turned nine today
Defoe, 37, took to social media to write an emotional post on Lowery’s birthday.
‘Happy birthday little man we all miss and love you. Sometimes in life things happen and it’s hard to understand but I know God does not make mistakes and I know he’s taking care of my best friend,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘Hope you are looking down on your lovely family and friends and smiling in heaven on your birthday.’
The football-mad youngster captured the heart of the nation before his tragic passing in 2017
Bradley and the then Sunderland striker Defoe started an unlikely friendship in 2016 that saw the pair become inseparable before his death from a rare cancer
Defoe and Lowery touched the nation with their beautiful friendship and were virtually inseparable before his passing three years ago.
In 2018, Rangers striker Defoe had Bradley Lowery’s name tattooed onto his arm as a permanent reminder of their special bond.
The duo’s friendship first began in September 2016 when Sunderland-mad Bradley was a mascot for their Premier League match against Everton.
Bradley received a round of applause during the match at the Stadium of Light that afternoon while supporters from both clubs sang ‘there’s only one Bradley Lowery’.
This sweet snap of Bradley falling asleep cuddling Defoe in hospital touched everyone’s heart
Bradley won Match of the Day’s goal of the month for December 2016 for his strike vs Chelsea
Defoe walked out Bradley on to the Wembley turf for England’s match against Lithuania in 2017
Three months later, Bradley took to the hallowed turf of the Stadium of Light once again when Sunderland faced Chelsea in the Premier League.
Meeting his favourite player Defoe once again, Bradley scored a pre-match penalty against Asmir Begovic, which saw him win Match of the Day’s goal of the month competition for December 2016.
Bradley and Defoe’s friendship continued to grow and the England striker even carried him on to the pitch ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.
Defoe scored and dedicated the goal to Bradley, saying it was the best moment of his career.
The striker scored in the 2018 World Cup qualifier and dedicated the goal to Bradley
The striker regularly visited Bradley when he was in hospital and in the process created a lasting relationship with his family.
Following Bradley’s passing, Defoe said: ‘He was my best friend. He was genuine. He loved his football. He loved me and I loved him. There was nothing I could give him apart from just being a friend.’
The Bradley Lowery Foundation, which was set up in his name, raises funds for research into neuroblastoma and Defoe has played a leading role in helping to keep the cause in the public eye.
Defoe had Bradley’s name tattooed on to his hand to mark their special bond two years ago
The tattoo, which reads ‘Brads’, is just the latest chapter of Defoe and Bradley’s special story