Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe broke down in tears speaking about terminally ill Bradley Lowery as he was officially unveiled by the Premier League club.
Former Sunderland forward Defoe has formed a close friendship with the avid Black Cats fan and club mascot.
When asked about six-year-old Bradley on Thursday, Defoe asked for two minutes to compose himself.
"It's been hard because I have kept this in for so long," he added.
Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, has neuroblastoma and is receiving palliative care at home.
Defoe, 34, added: "I speak to the family every day. I was with him a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.
"He's obviously struggling. I can say it's a matter of days.
"He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life. There isn't a day that goes past when I don't wake up and check my phone or think about little Bradley.
"His love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me."
The poor little fella has only got a matter of time left apparently.
Why is it the good people in this world are the ones that get punished??
Former Sunderland forward Defoe has formed a close friendship with the avid Black Cats fan and club mascot.
When asked about six-year-old Bradley on Thursday, Defoe asked for two minutes to compose himself.
"It's been hard because I have kept this in for so long," he added.
Bradley, from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, has neuroblastoma and is receiving palliative care at home.
Defoe, 34, added: "I speak to the family every day. I was with him a few days ago and it was tough to see him suffer like that.
"He's obviously struggling. I can say it's a matter of days.
"He will always be in my heart for the rest of my life. There isn't a day that goes past when I don't wake up and check my phone or think about little Bradley.
"His love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me."
The poor little fella has only got a matter of time left apparently.
Why is it the good people in this world are the ones that get punished??