MANAGER Eddie Howe has praised Jermain Defoe’s professionalism following an “extremely difficult” first week in his Cherries career.

Defoe was unveiled during an emotional press conference at Vitality Stadium just hours before Bradley Lowery passed away on July 7.

The 34-year-old was visibly upset as he described Bradley as his “best mate”, adding “he will always be in my heart, for the rest of my life and the family know that”.

Bradley had fought bravely against the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and his friendship with Defoe had touched the hearts of football supporters around the world.

England international Defoe struck up a close relationship with Sunderland fanatic Bradley after the six-year-old had been his mascot at a Black Cats game last season.

Following Bradley’s passing, Defoe posted a heart-breaking message on Twitter, part of which read: “Your courage and bravery will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life.

“You will never know what a difference you made to me as a person. God has you in his arms and I will always carry you in my heart. Sleep tight little one. My best friend.”

The day after Bradley died, Defoe linked up with his new Cherries team-mates and flew to Spain ahead of a 10-day pre-season training camp in Marbella.

He left the team’s base on Thursday and headed back to England to attend Bradley's funeral in his home village of Blackhall Colliery in County Durham on Friday.

Defoe joined more than 3,000 mourners who had gathered to pay their respects and wore one of his England shirts to the service, with ‘Bradley 6’ emblazoned on the back.

He wept as he followed the funeral cortege through the streets and was in tears as he left the church ahead of a private ceremony at a nearby crematorium.

Defoe, who did not return to Spain to take part in Cherries’ first friendly against Estoril on Saturday, will resume training with Howe’s squad this week.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “It was an extremely difficult week for him, not that you would have known from how he was around the other players, how he was with the staff and how he trained.

“But everyone is fully aware how close his relationship was with Bradley and how everything has really affected him.

“He has got on with his football, done very well in training and given a lot to the group. He has been a really good professional.

“We were sad to see him leave the training camp but the main thoughts of everybody – because the lads have taken to him very quickly – were that he was okay and to wish him well with what was a tough few days for him.”