Bradley Lowery & Jermain Defoe: How the pair struck up a remarkable friendship

The friendship between Bradley Lowery and Jermain Defoe brought joy to the six-year-old through his battle with terminal cancer.

The pair, who referred to each other as "best mates",came about through a shared love of football.

A Sunderland fan through and through, Bradley first met his footballing hero on the pitch in December 2014.

The then five-year-old was the team mascot when the Black Cats faced Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.

It was Bradley's cheeky smile and "energy" that drew Defoe to him when they met before the match, with the pair making an "instant connection".

After making his debut appearance, Bradley from Blackhall, County Durham was regularly invited back to be a mascot for his beloved team and found a place in the hearts of thousands of football fans around the world.

Supporters of different clubs made banners and chanted his name at games.

Bradley and Defoe's friendship continued off the pitch. It was a beautiful photograph of Bradley falling asleep on his hospital bed as he cuddled his hero Defoe that touched the nation.

Following the visit Defoe said: "Bradley is in my prayers every night. He is an amazing young man and I look forward to seeing him again."

Where once Bradley had been in awe of Sunderland's top scorer, he came to accept his relationship with Defoe as normal.

Defoe regularly visited his "best mate" both at hospital and at his home.

Perhaps their biggest moment together was at Wembley, when the Football Association invited Bradley to be a mascot for the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on March 26, after which Defoe was unexpectedly called up into the squad at the age of 34.

Bradley was there to see his friend score his first goal in an England shirtfor four years.

Captain Joe Hart let Bradley and Defoe lead the team out onto the pitch and Bradley covered his ears from the cacophony of the 78,000 crowd.

Defoe later said he struggled to keep his emotions in check as he walked out hand-in-hand with his young friend.

It was a fairytale occasion and Bradley said afterwards: "I have had an amazing day and I will never forget Jermain because I love him so much."

Less than 24 hours after the VIP experience, Bradley was back in hospital for more treatment to extend his life.

In May, his family and well-wishers organised a huge party for his sixth birthday on the local cricket pitch, with a funfair and fire-eaters.

Defoe and Sunderland goalkeeperVito Mannone were there to join the celebrations, attended by scores of young people from the village.

It was a landmark birthday his family had been desperate for him to live tosee.

Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old after a tumour was found above his left kidney.

He pulled through despite being resuscitated in hospital several times during treatment which lasted two years.

His parents Gemma and Carl were overjoyed when he got the all-clear but cancer returned and had spread in July 2016.

Scans at Christmas 2016 revealed his cancer was terminal.

One of the last Facebook updates from Bradley's family in his final days referred to a visit from Defoe.

It revealed the footballer had gone to his home for what were described as "final cuddles'".

Family friend Lynn Murphy said: "He was so happy and laid for ages getting cuddles. Bradley was really relaxed with him."

In an emotional press conference in Bradley's final days, Defoe said: "He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life.

"There isn't a day that goes past when I don't wake up and check my phone or think about little Bradley.

"His love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me."

When the footballer said he was "blessed" to have known Bradley, it was asentiment shared by hundreds of thousands around the world.

• Bradley Lowery has died from cancer aged six