has paid an emotional tribute to 'best friend' Bradley Lowery after his death from a rare form of cancer.
The England striker struck up a close friendship with Bradley during his time at Sunderland.
He died on Friday, aged six, leading to tributes from all across the game.
And Defoe, who visited Bradley in his dying days, told his friend in an statement, accompanied by a montage of pictures of the two: "I will always carry you in my heart".
"Goodbye my friend, gonna miss you lots," he wrote.
"I feel so blessed God brought you into my life and has some amazing moments with you and for that I'm so grateful.