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By John Ogunsemore
Former Ivorian international, Sol Bamba has died aged 39.
Bamba’s Turkish club, Adanaspor announced his demise on Saturday night.
“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,” the club statement reads.
Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 during his playing days at Welsh club Cardiff but was declared cancer-free after undergoing treatment.
As an active footballer, he plied his trade with nine different clubs between 2004 and 2022, including Paris Saint-Germain, Leicester City, Cardiff, Leeds United and Middlesborough.
He was also capped 46 times by the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.
Bamba’s former club, Cardiff mourned his death in a statement.
The Welsh club described him as “a club legend whose 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,” the club said.
Leeds, who Bamba captained playing from 2015 to 2016, also expressed their condolences.
“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,” the club said.
