Every time I look at Bradley’s picture, it’s emotional admits Jermain Defoe
Defoe and teammates John O’Shea, Vito Mannone and Sebastian Larsson visited the 5-year-old in hospital last month and Bradley fell asleep in the 34-year-old’s arms
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jermain Defoe has opened up about his ‘special’ relationship with Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery.
Black Cats top scorer Defoe has been an avid supporter of young Bradley who is suffering from a nerve-affecting neuroblastoma.
Defoe and teammates John O’Shea, Vito Mannone and Sebastian Larsson visited the 5-year-old in hospital last month and Bradley fell asleep in the 34-year-old’s arms.
Defoe, who was this week recalled into the England fold and congratulated by his biggest fan, admits how special it was to share such a moment.
“Credit to the club, they organised it for me, Vito [Mannone], John O’Shea and Seb [Larsson] to go down to see him,” he told The Times.
“Bradley jumped up and grabbed me. He said to his mum, ‘Can you turn the lights off?’ and said to me, ‘Can you come into the bed?’ ‘Yes, no problem.’
“He put the covers over me. He just wanted a cuddle. He didn’t want me to go. I held him and he fell asleep. His mum said, ‘You’re going to have to stay all night!’ I said, ‘Someone phone the gaffer [David Moyes], tell him I can’t play at the weekend!’ It was special.”
Defoe retweeted the image of him alongside Bradley and now has it on his locker at the Stadium of Light.
“Every time I look at the picture, it’s emotional,” he says. “I’m trying not to cry. Big baby, me.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments