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Image source, PA
Bradley Lowery passed distant successful 2017 aged six
Former England striker Jermain Defoe has said helium thinks astir Bradley Lowery each day.
Defoe became "best mates" with the young Sunderland fan, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a uncommon benignant of crab - erstwhile helium was 18 months old.
Bradley passed distant successful 2017 aged six, with his communicative touching the hearts of thousands.
Reflecting connected the relationship connected BBC podcast Jermain Defoe: Outside The Box, helium described it arsenic "a peculiar time".
Speaking to Bradley's mum, Gemma, astatine her Blackhall Colliery home, Defoe said seeing his person endure "changed maine arsenic a person".
"He volition ever beryllium successful my heart, for the remainder of my life," helium said.
"There's not a time that goes past wherever I don't aftermath up and deliberation astir small Bradley, due to the fact that his emotion is genuine."
Jermain Defoe has remained adjacent with the Lowery family
Defoe was the skipper of Sunderland erstwhile helium archetypal met Bradley successful September 2016.
The young instrumentality was a mascot for the Black Cats earlier a crippled against Everton erstwhile helium was introduced to his "hero" Defoe, who has remained adjacent with the Lowery family.
In a dressing country signaling of the infinitesimal they met, Bradley tin beryllium heard asking "where's Jermain?" earlier showing him their matching shot boots.
"It was thing I'd ne'er experienced before", said Defoe.
Image source, PA
Image caption,Bradley was a peculiar impermanent and walked down the reddish carpet astatine the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year successful 2016
Gemma, who went connected to acceptable up a foundation successful her son's name, said the pair's relationship had "meant a lot" to him and the family.
"When you came to the infirmary helium jumped connected his furniture and fell dormant cuddling you," she told Defoe.
"All helium wanted was a cuddle.
"You're from wholly antithetic backgrounds, wholly antithetic cultures, but that transportation was instant."
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