Dapo Afolayan dedicated a 'special' Bolton Wanderers goal celebration against Sunderland to the memory of a young West Ham United fan who passed away from a rare childhood cancer.
Isla Caton sadly passed away on Tuesday (January 25) with high-risk neuroblastoma which she was first diagnosed with aged just two-years-old and whose funeral took place on Friday morning.
Isla was a big West Ham fan, the club where Afolayan joined Wanderers from last January, initally on loan before making the move permanent last summer.
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Bolton's top scorer was on target today in the 6-0 thrashing of the Black Cats and, as part of his goal celebreation, he lifted up his Wanderers shirt to reveal the message 'RIP Isla Caton'.
And speaking after the game, Afolayan extended a further tribute to Isla's memory and her family, including her mother Nicola, as he sent his prayers to them and paid more respects to the young girl who has sadly lost her battle with the illness.
Afolayan said: "It (goal celebration) was special. I dedicated the goal to a little girl called Isla Caton who sadly passed away this week.
"She was a big West Ham fan and her family too. She had neuroblastoma and it's very sad. She fought really hard and her mother Nikki and the rest of the family, they're feeling the loss hard at the minute.
"It was through the club and I've spoken to Nikki before. When I scored for West Ham she reached out and when I left the club she wished me all the best.
"I think the family are top drawer and obviously what they're going through, you wouldn't wish it on anybody and again, my prayers are with the family because it is tough and I just wanted to take a moment today to pay respects to the little girl."
