Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who bravely overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has passed away at the age of 39. Bamba, who had been working with the coaching staff at Turkish side Adanaspor, fell ill on Friday and was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital, where he tragically passed away.
Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while at Cardiff City but successfully battled the illness, returning to play for Cardiff and later Middlesbrough. The France-born defender began his career at Paris Saint-Germain and later played in Scotland with Dunfermline and Hibernian before joining Leicester City. Bamba also captained Leeds United and played a key role in Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League.
Bamba earned 46 international caps for the Ivory Coast, including appearances at the 2008 Olympics and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Clubs, including Cardiff City and Leeds United, paid tribute to Bamba, remembering him as a leader, a gentleman, and a beloved figure in football.
