JERMAIN DEFOE admits his move to Rangers will feel extra special after the mother of Bradley Lowery revealed his affection for the Light Blues.

Defoe formed a heart-warming friendship with young Bradley during his time at Sunderland and was a source of strength to him and his family during his brave battle with cancer.

His mother, Gemma, revealed this week that Bradley’s father, Carl, and grandfather, Dave, were Gers supporters and admitted Defoe would be honouring her son’s memory by running out at Ibrox.

The 36-year-old has joined the Gers at their training base in Tenerife this week and can’t wait to welcome the family to Glasgow in the second half of the season.

Defoe said: “She messaged me and sent me the link. When I signed, she said to me that Brads loved Rangers as well, so I was like: wow.

“It was like this is just meant to be. I didn’t know.

“She showed me the article and it was a really nice piece, but I didn’t know that before.

“It’s special because when I was at Sunderland, especially towards the end, I was so used to walking out with Bradley. When I left Sunderland and first signed for Bournemouth it was a difficult time.

“When you go to a new club, you want to go there happy. But that was a difficult period for me.

“It took a while to get over it. To now be playing for another team that Bradley would have loved… of course it’s at the back of my mind. It’s a nice feeling, yeah.

“They have said they are coming up already. Trust me, when Gemma is there you will know about it!”