Jermain Defoe Is Now An OBE And He's Dedicated The Award To Bradley

Jermain Defoe has been awarded an OBE for his charity work, but has admitted that is was a moment filled with mixed emotions following the death of his friend, Bradley Lowery.

In July last year, Lowery's precious time on this earth sadly came to an end. The brave 6-year-old from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, broke the heart of a nation.

Bradley's legacy will live on forever though. From walking hand in hand with best mate Jermain Defoe at Wembley Stadium to having a horse named after him at the Grand National, the youngster experienced the best of what life has to offer.

And Bournemouth striker Defoe played a huge part in the youngster's life.

Defoe struck up an incredible friendship with Bradley. The former Sunderland striker made an appearance at the his fairytale birthday party in May, along with goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Shortly after he was awarded the OBE from the Queen, he took to Twitter to describe his feelings:

"The proudest moment of my life to be awarded an OBE." he said. "I'm blessed to have received the honour, but it isn't for me or about me. It's for Bradley and those he loved. I'd trade it all for him to be back in our lives, forget the goals and awards, it's the memories I'll cherish."

Last year, Defoe said that young Bradley changed him as a person:

"Going to visit him in hospital, just having alone time. It's difficult trying to keep your composure and not showing your emotions much was quite hard.

"I went to see him in hospital and he said to his mum, 'can you just turn the lights off. He said to me, 'do you want to get in the bed' and I said, 'no problem, Brad'.

"So i got in the bed and he put the covers over and he just wanted a cuddle. It was an amazing feeling."

Jermain Defoe, one of football's good guys.