Former Leeds and Cardiff defender Bamba dies aged 39

Sol Bamba, the previous Leeds United, Leicester City, Cardiff Metropolis and Hibernian defender, has died on the age of 39.

The Ivory Coast centre-back, who started his profession with Paris St-Germain and in addition performed for Dunfermline and Middlesbrough, was a part of the Cardiff aspect that gained promotion to the Premier League in 2018.

He overcame non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 throughout his taking part in days at Cardiff and had been working at Turkish membership Adanaspor, who introduced the information on Saturday night time.

An announcement from Adanaspor mentioned: “Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ailing earlier than the match towards Manisa on Friday, was taken to hospital and sadly misplaced his battle for all times there. Our condolences to his household and our neighborhood.”

Cardiff mentioned the information was acquired with “the deepest unhappiness”, describing Bamba as a “membership legend” and including: “As a participant and coach, Sol’s impression on our soccer membership was immeasurable. He was a hero to all of us, a pacesetter in each dressing room and a real gentleman.”

Leeds, who Bamba captained throughout his time at Elland Highway from 2015 to 2016, additionally paid tribute by saying they have been “devastated to be taught of the information that former captain Sol Bamba has handed away”.

Leeds added: “Relaxation in peace, Sol, you may be perpetually in our hearts.”

Bamba went from Paris St-Germain to Dunfermline and on to Hibernian, becoming a member of Leicester below Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2011.

Following Eriksson’s loss of life earlier this week, Bamba posted a tribute on social media during which he described the Swede as “not simply an beautiful individual, however he was additionally the very best coach I’ve ever had, inspiring my journey as a participant but additionally as a supervisor”.

Bamba joined Leeds after spells with Trabzonspor in Turkey and Palermo in Italy.

It was later at Cardiff the place he would make maybe his greatest mark, changing into a fan favorite after being signed on a free switch by Neil Warnock in 2016.

He scored on his debut towards Bristol Metropolis and performed a key position within the membership’s elevation to the highest flight the next season.

He made his Premier League debut with Cardiff, scoring 4 objectives within the Welsh membership’s solitary season on the elite stage below Warnock.

The membership introduced in January 2021 that Bamba, then 35, was being handled for most cancers, with the membership describing him as “universally admired by team-mates, employees and supporters within the Welsh capital”.

He returned to taking part in 4 months later, saying he was freed from most cancers following chemotherapy therapy.

Bamba was launched by Cardiff the next month and linked up once more with Warnock, signing in August 2021 for Middlesbrough.

He had beforehand described the veteran supervisor as a “father determine”. In return, Warnock as soon as insisted the defender was “barely higher” than Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, however he needed to remind him throughout video games “to not try to be Beckenbauer”.

Bamba’s season at Middlesbrough included him scoring a penalty in a FA Cup shootout victory over Manchester United at Previous Trafford in February 2022.

He returned to Cardiff the next yr as assistant supervisor to Sabri Lamouchi, serving to the membership retain their Championship standing.

Bamba had beforehand been linked with the Bluebirds’ managerial position having taken his teaching badges with the Soccer Affiliation of Wales.

He left his position upon Lamouchi’s departure in the summertime of 2023 earlier than taking on his place in Turkey.

Dunfermline mentioned they have been “shocked and saddened” to be taught of Bamba’s loss of life, and expressed condolences “at this tragic time” to all who knew him.

Middlesbrough and Hibernian each mentioned they have been “devastated” to listen to the information.