Tributes pour in for late Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery
Bradley Lowery, the 6-year-old Sunderland supporter who developed a close relationship with forward Jermain Defoe, has died following his long battle against cancer.
Lowery's family confirmed his passing Friday afternoon with a message on his fundraising page on Facebook that read:
My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family.
He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where.
There are no words to describe how heart broken we are.
Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words.
Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels
Lowery, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma when he was 18-months-old, appeared at football stadiums throughout England last season, and stood hand-in-hand alongside his "best mate" Defoe when the two lead the English national team out of the tunnel at Wembley Stadium in March ahead of a World Cup qualifier.
Tributes from around the football world poured in shortly after news of his passing emerged:
The thoughts of all at #SAFC are with the Lowery family following this afternoon's sad news.#OneBradleyLowery 💙
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 7, 2017
➡️https://t.co/EtrhMlpbqt pic.twitter.com/MeYOey4d3v
2/2 We will be holding a minutes applause for Bradley ahead of this evenings game with @SunderlandAFC to pay our respects to him and family
— Bury Football Club (@buryfcofficial) July 7, 2017
Rest in peace, @Bradleysfight
— PepTeam (@PepTeam) July 7, 2017
Descansa en paz, Bradley pic.twitter.com/lWms7WGSap
There's only one Bradley Lowery. pic.twitter.com/dzW6mB9lAN
— England (@England) July 7, 2017
Terribly sad to hear that little Bradley Lowery has passed away. A warrior and an inspiration to the end. RIP Bradley.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 7, 2017
Today, the football world lost one of its bravest fans.
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) July 7, 2017
Rest in peace, Bradley Lowery. pic.twitter.com/x3dhF7yvaO
You always gave us a beautiful smile and we will remember you forever. See you soon, little hero. 🙏🏼#OneBradleyLowery pic.twitter.com/kkLoLkUZDy
— Bryan Oviedo (@Bryan_Oviedo) July 7, 2017
The thoughts of everyone at #celticfc are with the Lowery family & all @SunderlandAFC #ripbradleylowery https://t.co/hvLzWglCdS
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 7, 2017
#OneBradleyLowery pic.twitter.com/j1b8fXgCtn
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 7, 2017
So sad about Bradley's news 😪😪😪 what a fighter ❤️ all my thoughts, love & prayers are for his family and friends today, we are with you <3 pic.twitter.com/puWLAMAaJU
— Michy Batshuayi (@mbatshuayi) July 7, 2017
We are sad to hear of the passing of Bradley Lowery, whose bravery touched the hearts of football fans around the world.#OneBradleyLowery pic.twitter.com/ACGP8oGUGT
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 7, 2017