Bradley Lowery nominated posthumously for prestigious Laureus sports award after his brave fight against killer disease that claimed him

  • The late Bradley Lowery has been posthumously nominated for a sports award
  • The six-year-old Sunderland fan who died in July captured hearts of football fans 
  • Lowery nominated for a Laureus award for his brave fight against cancer
  • Overall winner to be decided by public vote at 2018 Laureus awards ceremony

Bradley Lowery has been nominated for a Laureus award for his fight against cancer and friendship with Jermain Defoe.

The six-year-old Sunderland fan, who died in July, captured the hearts of football fans around the world with the spirit he showed in his battle with neuroblastoma.

Lowery became very close to Defoe during the player's time at Sunderland after being a mascot for the Black Cats, and the pair spent a lot of time together in the youngster's final months.

Brave Bradley Lowery captured the hearts of millions of fans during his courageous battle 

Brave Bradley Lowery captured the hearts of millions of fans during his courageous battle 

Bradley and Jermain pictured together during the Sunderland fan's brave fight for survival

Bradley and Jermain pictured together during the Sunderland fan's brave fight for survival

Jermain Defoe who was close friends with Bradley Lowery said: 'He's always in my thoughts'

Jermain Defoe who was close friends with Bradley Lowery said: 'He's always in my thoughts'

Defoe, who now plays for Bournemouth, said: 'Every time I stepped into the room, Brad's face would light up, no matter what he was going through or the pain he was in.

'Each time he stood by my side as a mascot, he was always full of an infectious energy. Brad is always in my thoughts, and I know the support he had from all of the football world meant the world to him.'

Lowery is among October's nominees for the Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year Award. The overall winner will be decided by a public vote at the 2018 Laureus awards ceremony.