We want your messages for Jermain Defoe after the Sunderland striker announced his immediate retirement from football, just weeks after returning to the Stadium of Light.
The 39-year-old featured seven times for the Black Cats since returning to the club after his departure from Rangers, but failed to find the back of the net. Whilst his return has not gone entirely to plan, it won't diminish the strength of feeling that Sunderland fans have towards the striker thanks to his first spell at the club.
Defoe netted 34 goals in 87 matches during his first stint on Wearside - and, during his first 18 months at the club, it felt like he was almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League due to his knack of scoring at crucial times.
Defoe had an impressive record against Newcastle United during his time at Sunderland, scoring the winner in the Tyne-Wear derby in his 12th appearance for the club, scoring a sensational volley that almost immediately wrote him into club folklore, before also netting in a 1-1 draw against the Magpies the following season in a result that went a long way to ensuring the Black Cats would finish above their fierce rivals in the relegation battle that season.
READ MORE: Jermain Defoe announces his retirement
Yet it was not just Defoe’s goals that meant he was so loved by Sunderland fans, with the forward also befriending terminally ill six-year-old Bradley Lowery. The duo’s friendship melted hearts both in Sunderland and across the country, with Defoe in attendance when Lowery was named ‘Child of Courage’ at the May 2017 Pride of North East Awards. Defoe was also able to lead the England team onto the pitch with Lowery in 2017 before scoring in a 2-0 win over Lithuania. The forward was subsequently awarded an OBE for his charity work with the Jermain Defoe Foundation.
We now want your messages for Defoe following his retirement.
Perhaps you want to let us know your favourite memory of the forward, or were touched by the way he befriended Bradley Lowery.
Or perhaps you want to simply say thanks for the goals. To leave your message, simply comment below this story, and we’ll publish the best memories.
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Leave your tribute to Jermain Defoe in the comments below.
