Jermain Defoe is counting his blessings after being chosen to receive a royal honour on Friday, but says the award is also bitter-sweet due to the death of his young friend last year.

Defoe, 35, has been appointed an OBE for the charitable work of his foundation.

But the Bournemouth star said the moment was filled with "mixed emotions" almost a year after the death of Bradley Lowery, a six-year-old battling neuroblastoma who Defoe had befriended.

"It's obviously mixed emotions because obviously...

Simon Francis has signed a contract extension to keep him at Bournemouth until 2020, the Premier League club have announced.

The skipper, who has played close to 300 times for the Cherries, had 12 months to run on his existing deal, but has agreed terms to stay for an extra year.

He told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to sign a new deal and am really looking forward to the next two years."

Defender Francis, who joined the club from Charlton in 2011 and played in League One and the Championship,...