Former Pompey player Jermain Defoe praises 'best friend' mascot Bradley Lowery

Bradley Lowery and Jermain Defoe. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Bradley, whose battle with a rare childhood cancer captured hearts, died at home in Blackhall, County Durham, in his parents' arms on Friday, surrounded by his family.

He struck up a close friendship with the England and Bournemouth striker who hugged Bradley when the boy joined the footballer as a mascot on the pitch ahead of matches.

Defoe tweeted: 'Goodbye my friend gonna miss u lots.

Screen grab image taken from the Twitter page of Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) of a message paying tribute to six-year-old mascot Bradley Lowery who died after bravely battling a rare childhood cancer. Picture: Jermain Defoe/PA

'I feel so blessed God brought u into my life and had some amazing moments with u and for that I'm so grateful.

'I'll never ever forget the way u looked at me wen I met u for the first time, the genuine love in those cute eyes.

'Really finding it hard to find words to express what u mean to me.

"The way u say my name, ur little smiles wen the cameras come out like a little superstar and the love I felt wen I was with u.

'Your courage and bravery will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life. You will never know what a difference you made to me as a person.

'God has you in his arms and I will always carry you in my heart. Sleep tight little one. My best friend.'

A week before his death, Bradley and Defoe were pictured snuggled up together at the youngster's home after the little boy had a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye.

Bradley was a mascot for his beloved Sunderland several times last season and struck up a remarkable friendship with the club's top scorer Jermain Defoe.

The youngster was also a mascot for England at Wembley and saw the man he called his 'best friend' score in a World Cup Qualifier against Lithuania in his comeback game.