Alan Shearer has taken to Twitter to send Jermain Defoe a message, after the 39-year-old announced his retirement from football.
What’s the story?
Well, after playing for over 20 years, Defoe has decided to hang up his boots and call it a day.
The Beckton-born striker enjoyed a phenomenal career, scoring 286 goals in total – 162 of those came in the Premier League.
Defoe released a statement on Twitter explaining his decision, which Shearer reacted to with a kind 11-word message.
You can see what the 51-year-old wrote to the Sunderland icon below.
Despite the bitter rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland, it’s good to see Shearer congratulate Defoe on his wonderful career.
Jermain Defoe went above being a footballer
Many people will remember Defoe for his incredible goalscoring ability, and rightly so.
However, the former England international went above and beyond his station as a footballer to become a role model for millions.
Specifically, his friendship with Bradley Lowery – the 6-year-old who bravely battled against Neuroblastoma – was touching.
Some footballers pop down to the hospital to say hello to struggling children and maybe give them a signed shirt, but Defoe did so much more to help Lowery.
Defoe often visited the family household, cuddled with the youngster and brought fun to his life, making memories together which hopefully helped ease the pain of his illness.
In truth, Defoe’s OBE is the least he deserves for all he’s done in football.
All of us at HITC wish Defoe a wonderful retirement, and would like to congratulate him on a truly special career.
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