Heartbroken Jermain Defoe texts brave Bradley Lowery’s mum every morning for updates… but was lost for words when he found out best pal, 6, has weeks to live
England striker opened up on his 'special' relationship with Sunderland lad ahead of his move to Bournemouth
HEARTBROKEN Jermain Defoe has revealed his pain at finding out best pal Bradley Lowery only has weeks to live.
And the England striker admits he texts the six-year-old’s mum first thing EVERY morning for updates on the brave Sunderland lad.
He told : “Every day I wake up and text his mum and ask how he’s getting on and she says ‘it’s OK’, but the reality is he’s struggling.
“She put something out on social media saying he’s got a few weeks to live and she messaged me and I didn’t know what to say. It was tough, I cant put in words how I felt.”
Defoe struck up his friendship with Bradley back in September when the young cancer sufferer led out his beloved Sunderland against Everton at the Stadium of Light.
The Wearside kid, who is fighting neuroblastoma, has joined his hero on several occasions on the pitch, including at Wembley before England’s clash against Lithuania in March.
Bournemouth-bound Defoe, 34, has had an indifferent season on the pitch, being relegated with the Black Cats while earning a Three Lions recall in the process.
But he insists his “special” relationship with Bradley puts all that into perspective.
He said: “There’ve been so many different emotions. On a football side of it, ups and downs, which is normal in a long season.
“I remember being a kid in the playground thinking ‘I want to be a professional footballer, play in the Premier League, score goals and do the same for England’.
“Obviously [I’m] back in the England squad, which is a dream. Then you go back to your club and it’s difficult. You’re scrapping for results and the outcome is not what you want it to be.
“Then there’s Bradley and my relationship with him.
“You go through different things in life and the things you thought were so important, which you get upset about, are minor compared to what people are going through.
“The things you get upset about, there’s no comparison compared to what he’s going through.
“All I can do is try and be here for him and his family.
Bradley has been the highlight of my season
Jermain Defoe
“When I finish here with England I’ll try and get up there and spend some time with him before I go away.”
The heartwarming friendship between Defoe and Bradley has touched the nation.
The ex-Tottenham ace admitted: “For me, Bradley has been the highlight of my season. Away from football, the relationship I’ve managed to have with him and what I’ve brought to his life and what he’s brought to mine, its been really special.
“It’s really sad to see him going through what he’s going through – he’s only six.
“At the same time I still feel blessed I’ve been able to be in his life.
“I’ve got so many great memories and moments that I’ve shared with him that will stay with me for the rest of my life so I’m grateful for that.”
Defoe will be leaving Bradley and moving 350 miles south to Bournemouth this summer to sign a deal which could rise to £130,000 a week.
When asked whether the pair will remain best mates, he said:”Of course! I hope so anyway.
“He’ll probably tell me off!”
“It would’ve been nice if he could have come to the two [England] games.
“He loves football and his family does as well. [They’re] such a nice family – his mum, dad, nan. Such nice people and I feel blessed to be involved.
“I just want to spend as much time with him as possible.”