Sol Bamba, a former international defender for Ivory Coast, passed away on Saturday at the age of 39. Bamba battled cancer before returning to the field.
“Leeds United are devastated to learn of the passing of former captain Sol Bamba at the age of 39,” said a statement from the English side.
Bamba had been working with the coaching staff at Turkish side Adanaspor when he was taken ill on Friday.
“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,” said Adanaspor in a statement on social media.
“Our condolences to his family and our community.”
While playing for Cardiff City in 2021, Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, following a course of chemotherapy, the cancer was deemed to be eradicated, and he was able to resume playing for both the Welsh team and Middlesbrough.
Bamba, a Frenchman, started out as a player with Paris St. Germain before relocating to Scotland.
When he moved to Hibs and later Leicester in 2011, he had assisted Dunfermline in reaching the Scottish Cup final.
He had periods in Turkey and Italy before joining Leeds, where he served as captain, and he assisted Cardiff in winning promotion to the Premier League during his first full season there.
He made almost 100 appearances for Cardiff.
Cardiff posted on X: “It is with the deepest sadness that we have learnt this evening about the passing of club legend, Sol Bamba.
“As a player and coach, Sol’s impact on our football club was immeasurable. He was a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone lucky enough to know and love Sol.”
Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, winning 46 international caps in total.
