Over the last few months, Bradley Lowery has struck up quite a friendship with Jermain Defoe.
The five-year-old was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that usually affects young children, and is said to have months to live.
Defoe, who met Bradley when he was a mascot for Sunderland, has visited the youngster while undergoing life-extending treatment in hospital. The youngster was even pictured falling asleep in his hospital bed while in Defoe’s arms last month.
Bradley loves @IAmJermainDefoe he didn't want him to leave today and fell asleep cuddling into him #specialbond #bestfriends pic.twitter.com/sn2symKhdv
— Bradley Lowery Foundation (@Bradleysfight) February 9, 2017
Bradley has since been invited to be mascot for England when they host Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley at the end of this month, and it now seems his friend will be close by, too.
Defoe, who has managed more goals than any other England player available for selection, was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad on Thursday – and could make his first international appearance in four years.
The video below shows the moment that Bradley was told that his hero had been included in the squad.
Bradley was over the moon to hear his best mate had been called up for the England squad. He loves you @IAmJermainDefoe #specialbond pic.twitter.com/uOzI5ScWZ0
— Bradley Lowery Foundation (@Bradleysfight) March 16, 2017
Lovely stuff. Enough to put a smile on anyone’s face.
