Former Leeds and Cardiff defender Sol Bamba dies aged 39

The former Cardiff and Leeds defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39.

Bamba had been working as a coach at Adanaspor, with the Turkish club announcing the news late on Saturday night.

A club statement read: “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. Our condolences to his family and our community.”

Bamba, who earned 46 caps for Ivory Coast, also played for Leicester and Middlesbrough before moving into coaching with Cardiff last year. In 2021 he recovered from non-Hodgkin lymphoma after undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Bamba managed to return to the pitch less than five months after his diagnosis.

Leeds paid tribute to their former captain in a statement which read: “Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts.”

A Middlesbrough statement said: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Sol Bamba at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with Sol’s family and friends at this time. RIP Sol.”

Bamba, who was born in France to Ivorian parents, began his playing career at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Scotland. He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final in his first season, before joining Hibernian in 2008 and then Leicester in 2011.

After spells in Turkey and Italy he joined Leeds, where he was club captain, while in his first full season at Cardiff he helped them clinch promotion to the Premier League. He played more than 100 times for the Welsh club and was assistant manager for six months in 2023.

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 Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his final international appearance two years later.