Bradley Lowery's family have welcomed Jermain Defoe back to Sunderland AFC after the striker re-signed for the club.
The ex-England international left his role as player-coach at Rangers earlier this month and has joined Sunderland as a free agent, signing a deal that initially runs to the end of the current season.
During his previous stint at the club, Defoe befriended Bradley Lowery - a terminally-ill six-year-old SAFC fan with neuroblastoma who sadly passed away in July 2017.
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The pair built a rapport like no other with not only football fans across the city, but around the world.
And the Bradley Lowery Foundation wasted no time at all in taking to social media channels to welcome Defoe back to Wearside.
On Facebook, the foundation wrote: "@iamjermaindefoe to return home to our beloved Sunderland AFC, Bradley will be smiling from cheek to cheek.
"He’s coming home, he’s coming home, he’s comingggggg.
"Jermain is coming home!!!"
Defoe was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours largely for the work with his Jermain Defoe Foundation he founded in 2013 - but the selfless striker devoted the honour to Bradley Lowery himself, following the pair's blossoming friendship.
After spending time with Bradley and his family, the former England international raised money for children with neuroblastoma and other life-threatening illnesses to the BLF's aims.
The pair's bond developed in such a short space of time was so strong that Defoe even dedicated a tattoo to the Blackhall lad on his forearm, reading 'Brads' in 2018.
Defoe's first stint at Sunderland began seven years ago when joined the club from MLS club Toronto FC in a swap deal which saw USA international Jozy Altidore move in the opposite direction.
He scored 37 goals in 93 appearances in all competitions for a side that was constantly battling relegation.
When Sunderland were relegated in 2017, he left to join Bournemouth and after three years on the South Coast he moved north of the Border to Rangers.
Four-and-a-half years later he is back at Sunderland and insists he wants to be part of more "special times" at the club.
He said: "I can't stop smiling because this is a special move for me for many reasons.
"I've had so many messages saying, 'remember when you said you would come back', as I said that I would one day and when I left, I wasn't ready to leave.
"I have a special bond with the fans here and the club is in a fantastic position to get promoted.
"I want to be a part of more special times here and I'm looking forward to it."
