Jermain Defoe has reminisced about his time at Sunderland during a special episode of BT Sport's 'What I wore'.
Defoe spent two-and-a-half seasons at the Stadium of Light and wrote himself into Black Cats folklore with his stunning winning goal against Newcastle in a 1-0 derby win in 2015.
The 37-year-old's rasping left-footed volley is still spoken about to this day, while despite suffering relegation in 2017, his goals at Sunderland earned him an unlikely recall to the England squad.
Defoe is also fondly remembered for the relationship he struck up with young fan Bradley Lowery, who was terminally ill with neuroblastoma during Defoe's time at Sunderland.
Unsurprisingly, both the derby goal and his special relationship with Bradley formed key talking points on the show as the Rangers forward looked back on his career.
Here is everything he said regarding Sunderland below.
On his derby goal against Newcastle
"It was my first proper taste of that game and I knew the importance even before.
"I remember waking up and going to the game on the bus going to the ground. It was like cup final day.
"Everyone was outside of all the pubs around the ground and I just felt that buzz. I couldn't wait for the game to start.
"I didn't expect to score that goal, though. Left foot. The only reason I shot was because I was tired!
"It was the last minute of the first half and because of the atmosphere I was running more than I would usually do.
"I just remember the ball came up and I just thought 'I am not going to control that, I'm knackered.
"I hit it and as soon as it left my foot I was like 'oh my God!'
"I was crying like a baby."
On his relationship with Bradley Lowery
"It was a game against Everton and before the game I remember Louise, who is like the player liaison, she came up to me and said there was a little kid who was not well, who was mascot, and asked if he could walk out with me.
"I said 'yeah, no problem'. I sat there and I could hear this little kid running around and making noise and I was sat there thinking that can't be little Bradley. I thought he was really ill so I didn't really understand the illness he had.
"He ran over, jumped on my lap and was showing me the boots that he had. We had an instant connection, it was weird.
"We walked out together and then after the game I stayed in contact with the family.
"I kept going to hospital to see him and we just grew closer. Every time I was with him I forgot about football, I forgot about everything else.
"I wanted to be there for him because I knew how much it meant to him. He was really struggling, especially towards the end and he had an amazing family as well.
"A time like that has left amazing memories."
