England striker Jermain Defoe has taken to his Twitter account to thank well-wishers and hospital staff after his father passed away on Wednesday night.

Scores of footballers and fans took to the social networking website in order to send condolences to the Tottenham striker, who left his country's Euro 2012 camp to be with the rest of his family.

The 29-year-old will rejoin the squad in 'due course', but seems likely to miss the match against France on Monday.

His father, Jimmy, was 49 years old and was said to have been ill for some time, and eventually passed away on Wednesday night.

"I want to thank the fans, my family and friends, the England boys, the Football Association and the manager for their support," Defoe tweeted.

"I can't tell you how much it means to me, I love you all, may God bless you."

"A special thank you to Royal Marsden's doctors and nurses who looked after my dad. They are very special people," he continued.