Tragic news has emerged from the world of football: Sol Bamba, the former Psg, Cardiff and Leeds United player, has died at 39 years old.
Bamba, who had been working with Turkish club Adanaspor, died on Saturday night, as confirmed by the club.
Adanaspor’s Heartfelt Statement
Adanaspor shared the devastating news that Bamba got sick before a game against Manisa Football Club.
The statement read, “The club’s technical director, Souleymane Bamba, who had health complications prior to Tuesday’s match against Manisa Football Club, passed away in Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital. Condolences go to Bamba’s family and our congregation.”
A Resilient Battle with Cancer
In 2021, while playing for Cardiff City, the former Psg defender was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
He recovered and was given the all-clear for cancer after he had taken chemotherapy treatment and returned to the pitch, joining Middlesbrough.
His professional football career involved playing for Leicester City, Hibernian, Dunfermline, and finally the Ivory Coast national side, where he represented his country 46 times.
Condolences from Clubs and Associations
Leeds United took to their official page to write, “Everyone at #LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former #LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away. 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.”
🤍 Everyone at #LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former #LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away. 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. pic.twitter.com/HFqtYgsFkM
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 31, 2024
Cardiff City also wrote that Bamba was a hero to everyone and a true leader on and off the pitch. Middlesbrough
Sol Bamba was born in France but of Ivorian decent and started his career with Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Scotland, he left Psg for Dunfermline Athletic, which reached the finals of the Scottish Cup.
He went through different clubs in Europe and arrived at Leeds, where he led the team as a captain.
He had a great impact with Cardiff City too, and the club had promotion to the English Premier League, where he was appointed as the assistant manager in 2023.
Bamba’s international career saw him represent the Ivory Coast in the 2008 Olympics and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, making his final appearance for his country in 2014.
