Sol Bamba, Former Cardiff City and Leeds United Defender, Dies at 39

Former Premier League defender Sol Bamba has tragically passed away at the age of 39.

Bamba, who had a distinguished career playing for clubs such as Cardiff City, Leeds United, and Middlesbrough, was serving as the technical director at Turkish club Adanaspor at the time of his death.

Bamba's career was marked by resilience and determination. Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while at Cardiff City, he bravely battled the disease and was declared cancer-free after undergoing chemotherapy. Remarkably, he returned to the pitch, continuing his career with Cardiff and later Middlesbrough.

Born in Ivory Coast, Bamba represented his country at the 2008 Olympics and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He earned 46 caps for the national team, showcasing his defensive prowess on the international stage.

Adanaspor announced Bamba's passing in a heartfelt statement, revealing that he fell ill before a match against Manisa Football Club and was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital, where he sadly lost his battle for life. The club expressed their condolences to his family and the football community, mourning the loss of a respected figure in the sport.

Tributes have poured in from former clubs and teammates. Leeds United, where Bamba served as captain, expressed their devastation at the news, stating, "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts." Cardiff City also paid tribute to Bamba, highlighting his contributions to their promotion to the Premier League in 2018.