Former Cardiff and Leeds defender Sol Bamba has sadly died at the age of 39. Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while at Cardiff, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Bluebirds and Middlesbrough.
Bamba was the technical director of Turkish club Adanaspor, after his passing a club statement read:
Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the match against Manisa Football Club yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there. Our condolences to his family and our community.
Bamba, who was born in France to Ivorian parents, began his playing career at Paris St Germain before moving to Scotland after failing to establish himself in the first team.
He also represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his final international appearance two years later.
Following spells in Turkey and Italy he joined Leeds, where he was club captain. The star also helped Cardiff clinch Premier League promotion during his first full season.
He played more than 100 times for the Bluebirds and was assistant manager for six months in 2023.
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Stephen Kenny Pays Emotional Tribute Sol Bamba
One of the many to pay tribute to Bamba was St Patrick's Athletic Manager Stephen Kenny who played under Kenny at Dunfermline Athletic in 2006 and 2007.
I had the pleasure of managing Sol, he was a young centre-half at Dunfermline Athletic. I subsequently met him afterwards over the years, he was an absolute gentleman.
It's hard to be believe at 39 that he's passed away. He was brilliant to work with, and it's a very sad loss.
The former defender was a popular figure in English football having donned the jerseys of Leicester City, Leeds, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough.
Rest in peace.
