Election 2016: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady endorses Donald Trump's White House bid

Republican front-runner Donald Trump has nabbed the support of a very special athlete, just hours before the second Republican debate hosted by CNN. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has given his endorsement to the bombastic GOP candidate.

The Super Bowl MVP, who previously acknowledge playing golf with Trump in the earlier years of his career, said, "I hope so. It would be great. There would be a putting green on the White House lawn, I can tell you that."

The endorsement came days after Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign hat was found in the locker of the American football star. According to Fortune, the two have been friends since 2002.

Brady was recently congratulated by Trump for winning his appeal in the DeflateGate controversy against the National Football League. The 38-year-old athlete was suspended for four games for his alleged involvement in the deflation of footballs during the AFC Championship Game. Although a judge did not rule on his supposed involvement, the four game suspension was thrown out.

Amid preparations for the second presidential debate in California, Trump took time out to thank Brady for his campaign endorsement. "A great honour from somebody that knows how to win!" Trump tweeted on 16 September. He later thanked fellow athletic coaches Mike Ditka (formerly of the Chicago Bears) and Bobby Knight (formerly of the Indiana Hoosiers).

Trump will participate in the main CNN-hosted debate on 16 September at 8pm EST (1am BST) in California.