Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba has tragically passed away at the age of 39. The news was confirmed by Turkish club Adanaspor, where Bamba served as the technical director.
Bamba had an illustrious career, playing for various clubs including Cardiff City, Leeds United, and Leicester City. He also had stints with Italian side Palermo, Scottish clubs Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian, as well as Turkish side Trabzonspor.
During his career, Bamba made 46 appearances for his country, scoring one goal. He retired in January 2023 and transitioned into coaching, initially serving as an assistant manager at Cardiff before taking on the role of technical director at Adanaspor.
The announcement of Bamba's passing came after he fell ill before a match against Manisa Football Club and was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he sadly lost his battle for life.
Bamba had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2021 but was declared cancer-free following a course of chemotherapy. His impact on Cardiff City, where he helped secure promotion to the Premier League, was described as 'immeasurable' by the club.
The Ivory Coast national football team expressed their condolences, calling Bamba's passing 'absolutely tragic.' Leeds United, another club where Bamba had played, remembered him as 'one of the nicest people in football.'
His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the football community, with tributes pouring in from fans, players, and clubs alike. Sol Bamba's legacy as a talented player, respected coach, and beloved figure in the sport will forever be remembered.
