England star Jermain Defoe visits his five-year-old terminally-ill ‘best mate’ in hospital

The Sunderland star has struck up a close relationship with the terminally-ill little boy, who has neuroblastoma.

Defoe, 34, walked out on the pitch at Wembley for the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania with Bradley on Sunday.

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England star Jermain Defoe visits his five-year-old terminally-ill ‘best mate’ in hospital

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Bradley was cheered up off his friends popping to see him and giving him some lovely presents

Bradley’s well-wishers Facebook page

The forward, who scored England’s opener, was due to see the mascot in hospital on Wednesday, but Bradley was too ill, so he went to see him the following day.

Bradley was photographed sitting on his hospital bed, with a Sunderland cover, next to Defoe, smiling with new toys.

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Defoe walked out on the pitch at Wembley with Bradley

Bradley has come to look at Defoe as his best friend, while Defoe tagged a photo of the pair of them at Wembley “#BestMates”.

A post on the Facebook page for Bradley’s well-wishers said: “Bradley has still not been well today but he is a lot better than yesterday and he was cheered up off his friends popping to see him and giving him some lovely presents.”

The boy from Blackhall, County Durham, has also been invited to attend the Grand National by the sponsors Randox.

The Facebook post said: “Bradley loves horses and is looking forward to going. Mammy loves getting dressed up so it’s a win win.”