JORDAN PICKFORD made a heartwarming gesture as he returned to boyhood club Sunderland for the first time since joining Everton last night.
The 31-year-old received a hero’s welcome as he walked back on to the Stadium of Light pitch after eight years.
And he was joined by his six-year-old son, Arlo, who wore a half-and-half shirt.
The top was half Sunderland, half Everton to represent the goalkeeper’s roots and current club.
Fans took to social media to react to the touching moment.
One person wrote: “That’s a classy touch, football’s purest moments are never about rivalry, they’re about legacy.”
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Another commented: “Half Everton, half heart… Pure football emotions.”
A third simply said: “Respect.”
While a fourth wrote: “Showing support for both teams, it’s lovely.”
Sunderland and Everton went on to share the points in a 1-1 draw.
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Iliman Ndiaye opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Granit Xhaka levelled things up at the start of the second half.
Pickford took to Instagram to reflect on his Stadium of Light return after the match.
He said: “A special night back at the Stadium of Light.
“Fifteen years as a kid here, first time back as an Everton player, proud to share it with my lad. Football comes full circle.”
Pickford spent 15 years with Sunderland after joining the club’s academy at the age of eight.
He made 35 first team appearances before joining Everton in 2017.
