ENGLAND striker Jermain Defoe has been hailed as an exemplar to footballers after paying another hospital visit to his “best mate” five-year-old Bradley Lowery.

Masses of people took to social media to herald the Sunderland star as “a true role model on an off the pitch” for the close relationship he has developed with the little boy from Blackhall, near Peterlee, who has neuroblastoma.

The Black Cats forward, who signed for the club two years ago in a deal which reportedly saw him paid £80,000-a-week, walked out on the pitch at Wembley for the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania with Bradley on Sunday.

The Northern Echo:

Jermain Defoe and Bradley Lowery leading out the England team at Wembley

While receiving praise for his international match performance, which included him scoring England’s opener, Defoe spent time arranging to see the mascot in hospital as he continued his third round of pioneering treatment to prolong his life on Wednesday.

Bradley has battled the rare cancer since January 2013 and in December his parents, Gemma and Carl, were told his condition was terminal. Last month, scans revealed a new tumour in the little Sunderland fan’s back and treatment following the England match left him too ill to have visitors, so the visit had to be postponed.

Defoe, who is understood to be a devout Christian, made himself available so he could visit the boy the following day.

The Northern Echo:

Bradley falls asleep on Jermain Defoe when Sunderland players visited him in hospital in February

Bradley was photographed sitting on his hospital bed, with a Sunderland cover, next to Defoe, smiling with new toys.

Bradley has come to look at Defoe as his best friend, while Defoe tagged a photo of the pair of them at Wembley “#BestMates”.

A post on the Facebook page for Bradley’s well-wishers said: “Bradley has still not been well today but he is a lot better than yesterday and he was cheered up off his friends popping to see him and giving him some lovely presents.”

Bradley has also been invited to attend the Grand National by the sponsors Randox.

The Northern Echo:

Bradley with his hero Jermain Defoe, as he was brought onto the field before a match between Sunderland and Everton

The Facebook post said: “Bradley loves horses and is looking forward to going.”

Social media users said they had been touched by the increasingly apparent bond between the 34-year-old Premier League star and the boy.

Richard Aspinall said: “Hopefully more footballers will follow in his footsteps and make dreams come true for kids.”

Lewis Johnston added: “This season Jermain Defoe has to be the most liked and respected player in football.”

The Sunderland player also drew praise from fans of his fiercest rivals.

“Maybe a Newcastle fan but have so much respect for what Jermaine does for Bradley. Fantastic stuff.”, wrote one, while another said: “Even as a fanatical Newcastle fan I think Bradley has an amazing best friend.”