Jermain Defoe admitted he felt proud to receive his OBE (Order of the British Empire), before dedicating his award to Bradley Lowery.

The Bournemouth striker was given the award in June following his work in the Jermain Defoe Foundation that supports homeless, vulnerable and abused children in St Lucia - his family's home country.
But along with his charity work, Defoe also notably struck up a friendship with Lowery - a terminally ill six-year-old Sunderland fan during his time with the Black Cats.

Lowery sadly passed away in 2017 and while Defoe admitted he still hurts from losing his friend, admitted receiving his award was a happy day.
'I would like to dedicate this to my little friend Bradley,' Defoe told Sky Sports News. 'Everyone knows the relationship I had with Bradley.'
'I got this for my Foundation but I think above all of that this relationship I had with Bradley. I had great memories of Bradley - it still hurts. But to receive something like this today it makes me feel good. I'm proud and happy.
'It's special, so surreal. Even in the Palace I stood there like "wow this is really happening", it's an amazing, amazing feeling.'
The striker later added with a post on Instagram that read: 'Feeling honoured and blessed to receive my OBE today at the Palace'.
Defoe was presented with the award by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, with the 36-year-old pictured afterwards posing proudly with his OBE.
The striker's friendship with Lowery started in 2016 while he was at Sunderland, with the young fan seeing Defoe as his hero.
He and Defoe were virtually inseparable as he bravely fought against a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma.
Defoe has since had 'Brads' tattooed on his arm to serve as a permanent reminder of his special relationship with Lowery.
ukraine
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Hey! Mr & Mrs David Beckham. This how you do it. Being Genuine. Not superficially doing chores as charitable function, to get a gong. Congrats, Jermain.
Labarber
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Very well earned Jermain. Much more deserved than most.who get it.
Trannyswwet
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Thoroughly deserved! Those two had a great relationship.
Clusesed
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much deserved, conducted himself with great dignity!
leadership
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Well deserved was really kind to that poor kid. He's a good man.
criticism
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Fully deserved the man went above and beyond for little Bradley, well done Jermain.
dynamics
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One of life's good guys..! Pleased for him
baba21
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Congratulations Jermain - well deserved ...
jealousy
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Wonderful and well deserved.
Armourer
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Defoe good football and decent human being, unlike many.
Adolphus
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About time a real hero and great pro got this award , common sense at last , enjoy it mate you deserve it
sadistic
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Most people in his position would probably send a card or take a photo which is great but what he did for that boy was heartwarming to say the least and really shows the love and compassion a human being is capable of.
Tylerwest
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More than a footballer with humanity!!!
Elismer
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Nice one Jermain pleased for you!
Oraclea
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Totally deserved well done Jermaine. Why isn't this headline news? Lovren having a rant is! DM are disgusting.!
yearbook
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Deserved selfless legend of a man!!
fazeza
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Looking smart Jermaine and very richly deserved.
Samuleley
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Well done Jermaine apart from me we all know one wee lad who would be so proud.
Kolagay
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Very touching the way Jermaine embraced young Bradleys illness and made the poor wee fella smile and is still in contact with the family. Extremely well deserved.
Adolphus
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Bless him, but I bet he'd swap it for a fit and healthy Bradley. Congratulations, Jermaine.
popola
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Good man. Enjoy your award mate.
tellmey
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Nice guy others should take this as an example
Grammer
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Sincere chap. Well done.
operation
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Some recognition for going well above and beyond what footballers normally do by order of their clubs.
derivatives
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Legend at SAFC. RIP Bradley, what a beautiful story of 2 best friends who touched all of our hearts at the club. X
blueSkyu
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A fantastic player, but as a man, I can't place anyone higher. You did good Jermaine.
war369
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I don't think I've ever had anything bad to say about him. Well done Jermain
Martabeed
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Really nice guy and a wonderful boy .Just wish he could have still been here to see the award.From an Everton fan.
Neilmike
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A really deserved award.
billionon
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Well deserved Jermaine
untillove
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Best England goal scorer by a mile 20 odd games 20 odd goals
Halereal
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Well deserved and shining example to all.
acteman
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Top lad Jermain. You made the young lad very happy in his tragically short life. Well deserved