Sol Bamba, the renowned Ivorian centre-back who graced the fields of clubs like Leeds United, Leicester City, Cardiff City, and Hibernian, has tragically passed away at the age of 39.
Bamba, who began his professional football journey with Paris Saint-Germain, also had notable stints at Dunfermline and Middlesbrough. His career was marked by resilience and determination, particularly when he overcame non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while playing for Cardiff City.
Bamba was most recently involved with Turkish club Adanaspor as a technical director. The club announced the heartbreaking news on Saturday night, revealing that Bamba had fallen ill before a match against Manisa on Friday and was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he sadly lost his life. “Our condolences to his family and our community,” Adanaspor expressed in their statement.
Cardiff City, where Bamba made a significant impact, described the news as a moment of “deepest sadness.” The club honored him as a “legend,” highlighting his immeasurable contributions both as a player and coach. “Sol was a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room, and a true gentleman,” Cardiff City stated, mourning the loss of a figure who was adored by fans and respected by teammates.
Leeds United, where Bamba served as captain from 2015 to 2016, also paid tribute, expressing their devastation at the news. “Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts,” the club stated, underscoring the deep connection Bamba had with the Elland Road faithful.
Bamba first gained prominence in British football while playing in Scotland for Dunfermline and later Hibernian. He then joined Leicester City in 2011 under the management of Sven-Göran Eriksson. Following Eriksson’s recent passing, Bamba had posted a heartfelt tribute, calling the Swedish coach “not just an exquisite person, but also the best coach I’ve ever had.”
After spells with Trabzonspor in Turkey and Palermo in Italy, Bamba joined Leeds United, where his leadership on the pitch was quickly recognized. However, it was at Cardiff City where Bamba left an indelible mark. Signed on a free transfer by Neil Warnock in 2016, Bamba quickly became a fan favorite. He scored on his debut against Bristol City and played a crucial role in Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League the following season.
Bamba’s battle with cancer was a chapter that defined his remarkable character. In January 2021, Cardiff announced that Bamba was undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite the diagnosis, Bamba made an inspiring return to football just four months later, declaring himself cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy.
After being released by Cardiff, Bamba reunited with Warnock at Middlesbrough, where he continued to display his tenacity on the pitch. His memorable season with the club included a crucial penalty scored during a FA Cup shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in February 2022.
Bamba returned to Cardiff in 2023 as an assistant manager to Sabri Lamouchi, helping the club retain their Championship status. He was linked with the managerial role at Cardiff, having completed his coaching badges with the Football Association of Wales.
Bamba’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the football community. Clubs like Dunfermline, Middlesbrough, and Hibernian have all expressed their devastation, with Dunfermline stating they were “shocked and saddened” by the news.