THOMPSON TRIBUTE ‘My dad was the greatest’ – Ex-Man Utd starlet Joe Thompson’s daughter pays heartbreaking tribute after death at 36

JOE THOMPSON'S daughter has paid a heartbreaking tribute after he died at the age of 36.

The Bath-born midfielder was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in April last year.

Thompson had hung up his boots in 2019, having come through the academy at Manchester United.

The former Rochdale star was found to have stage four lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, which had spread to his lungs.

He passed away on Thursday after becoming a public speaker following his retirement.

His daughter, Lula, 10, has now made a heartbreaking tribute to her father, which the Red Devils shared.

The video showed moments of his footballing career, including scoring a memorable goal for Rochdale that saved them from relegation.

Pictures showed Thompson celebrating with Lula after the game.

The video continued to display the good charity work that the former footballer did in order to raise money to help battle cancer.

She said: "When my dad got cancer for the third time, he didn't let that stop him from doing good and start fundraising to get treatment that can help lots of other people.

"He always wanted to be known as a great man, but I can say my dad was the greatest man.

"The best dad to me and my sister Athena, and the best husband to my mummy Chantelle.

"I love you so much dad."

Thompson was first diagnosed with the cancerous disease Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013.

After bravely battling to overcome it, he managed to return to professional football, playing for Bury the following year.

Thompson went on to have spells at Wrexham, Southport, and Carlisle United before he returned to Rochdale in 2016.

However, his disease came back for a second time just a few months later.

Rochdale also paid tribute to Thompson as the team wore black armbands during the game against Altrincham.