'Give us two minutes' Tearful Jermain Defoe pays tribute to 'best friend' Bradley Lowery

JERMAIN Defoe could not contain his emotions when asked about brave Bradley Lowery, who died this afternoon.

Posted Saturday, July 08, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

The England star, who swapped Sunderland for Bournemouth following the Black Cats' relegation, was overcome by emotion yesterday afternoon when discussing his terminally ill pal.

Brave Bradley died at 1.35pm today in his parents' arms.

Defoe, 34, was being unveilved as a Bournemouth player, but paid a moving tribute to six-year-old Brad when asked about his plight.

It came after Bradley's family yesterday revealed how the little one will "soon be with the angels" as his health takes a turn for the worse.

Bradley, from near Hartlepool, has fought childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

He counted ex-Tottenham hitman Defoe as his "best friend" since he walked out with at a Sunderland match as a mascot.

"It has been difficult," Defoe said, who had to ask the press to wait while he regained control of his emotions.

"It has been hard because I've been keeping this in for so long, trying to be strong for my family and his family.

"I don't really know how to put into words how I feel. It has been a special time having that relationship with Brad.

"I speak to the family every day, I was with them a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.

"I felt I was prepared for it after what I went through with my dad but it was so tough to see a kid of that age who has been going through this for so long and got to the stage where he is obviously struggling.

'Give us two minutes' Tearful Jermain Defoe pays tribute to 'best friend' Bradley Lowery
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"He will be in my heart for the rest of my life.

"We are there for the family even going forward and it puts stuff into perspective.

"There isn't a day that goes by where I don't wake up and check my phone or think about little Bradley because his love is genuine - I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me."

Defoe visited the Lowery family before his move south, and a heart-warming picture emerged of him giving the youngster a cuddle.