Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Defoe: I still cry over Bradley
Footie star thinks of cancer lad daily
ENGLAND soccer star Jermain Defoe says he still cries when he thinks about the death of his young soulmate Bradley Lowery. The striker, who was 35 yesterday, has pictures of the six-year-old in his house and keeps in contact with his parents Gemma and Carl – who he describes as “a beautiful family”.
Defoe says of brave Bradley, who died from neuroblastoma cancer in July: “I’ll never forget him. I still have messages on my phone – and videos.
“I think about him every single day and get upset about his death because it is still fresh... the pain he went through. It was a tough time but our relationship was special. Bradley always cracked a smile. He was a special kid.”
Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery, Co Durham, was a Sunderland fan and grew close to Defoe, then the club’s top striker.
The youngster was England’s mascot when they played Lithuania in March.
Defoe, who is in the squad for today’s return fixture in Lithuania, added: “I always had a good feeling inside after meeting Bradley. He would jump up as soon as he saw me.”
The star, now with Bournemouth FC, was pictured hugging Bradley in a tearjerking last visit before the lad died.
“And he added: “I’m blessed that I knew him.”