Jermain Defoe said he feels blessed to receive a royal honour, but described it as a time of mixed emotions following the death of his young friend Bradley Lowery.
Bournemouth striker Defoe, 35, said the six-year-old’s mother would be the first person he called to share the “special” news of the recognition for charitable work.
The England player and Bradley formed a strong bond, with the little boy repeatedly picked to be a mascot for his beloved Sunderland while he battled neuroblastoma.
