Sol Bamba, the beloved former defender who played for Leeds United, Leicester City, Cardiff City, and Hibernian, has tragically passed away at the age of 39. The Ivory Coast international, who began his football career at Paris Saint-Germain, was part of the Cardiff City team that achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
Bamba's career was marked by resilience and strength, particularly when he overcame non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while still playing for Cardiff. He had recently been working with Turkish club Adanaspor, who sadly announced his passing on Saturday night.
In a statement, Adanaspor shared that Bamba fell ill before a match against Manisa Football Club and was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital, where he tragically lost his life. "Our condolences to his family and our community," the club expressed.
Cardiff City responded to the heartbreaking news with "the deepest sadness," describing Bamba as a "club legend." They praised his immeasurable impact as both a player and a coach, calling him a hero and a true gentleman. Leeds United, where Bamba served as captain from 2015 to 2016, also paid tribute, saying they were "devastated" and adding, "Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts."
Bamba first made his name in British football in Scotland, playing for Dunfermline and Hibernian. He later joined Leicester City under the management of Sven-Göran Eriksson in 2011. Just earlier this week, Bamba had posted a heartfelt tribute to Eriksson, who recently passed away, calling him "not just an exquisite person, but also the best coach I've ever had."
After his time at Leicester, Bamba played for Leeds United following spells with Trabzonspor in Turkey and Palermo in Italy. However, it was at Cardiff City where he made a lasting mark, becoming a fan favorite after signing under Neil Warnock in 2016. Bamba scored on his debut and played a crucial role in Cardiff's promotion to the Premier League the following season. He made his Premier League debut with Cardiff and scored four goals during their season in the top flight.
In January 2021, Cardiff announced that Bamba, then 35, was battling cancer, a fight he ultimately won, returning to play just four months later. He rejoined his former manager Neil Warnock at Middlesbrough in August 2021, where he continued to impress, including scoring a penalty in an FA Cup shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in February 2022.
Bamba returned to Cardiff as an assistant manager to Sabri Lamouchi in 2023, helping the club retain its Championship status. Though he had been linked with the managerial role at Cardiff, Bamba left the club following Lamouchi's departure in the summer of 2023 before taking on his position in Turkey.
The football world is mourning the loss of Sol Bamba, a player known not just for his skills on the pitch but for his incredible spirit and leadership. Clubs including Dunfermline, Middlesbrough, and Hibernian have all expressed their shock and sorrow at his passing, offering their condolences to his family and all who knew him.
