Six-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery has died after a long battle with neuroblastoma.
Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare form of cancer – when he was 18 months old and became a mascot for the Black Cats, striking up a friendship with Jermain Defoe and touching millions of football fans’ hearts around the world.
Bradley’s mother, Gemma, confirmed the news on Facebook on Friday.
She wrote: “My brave boy has went with the angels today 07/07/17 at 13:35, in mammy and daddies arms surrounded by his family. He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed else where.
“There are no words to describe how heart broken we are. Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words.