FORMER Leeds United and Leicester City star Sol Bamba has died amid mounting tributes to the footballer.
The central defender tragically died today at the age of only 39 years.
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Sol Bamba died at only 39 years old. Credit: Reuters
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Bamba with his wife Chloe in 2020
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Bamba made 382 appearances in his senior career Credit: Getty
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Bamba on vacation in 2018
Bamba was known as one of football’s good guys and made 51 appearances for Leeds United and 24 for Middlesbrough.
He played in the Premier League with Cardiff City in the 2018-2019 season after winning the Championship runners-up trophy with the club.
Cardiff City said Bamba was a “legend of the club” and his death has brought them “deepest sadness”.
“As a player and coach, Sol’s impact on our football club was immeasurable. He was a hero to us all, 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.”
Leeds United said in a post on X: “Everyone at #LUFC is devastated by 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 in our hearts forever.”
Middlesbrough FC said: “We are devastated to learn that Sol Bamba has passed away at the age of 39.
“Our thoughts are with Sol’s family and friends at this time.”
Former club Trabzonspor paid a heartbreaking tribute to their former player who made 27 appearances.
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In a statement they said: “It is with deep sadness that we learned that Adanaspor coach Sol Bamba, who wore our jersey between 2012 and 2014, has passed away.
May God have mercy on him, and we express our condolences to his family and all his loved ones.
He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, but beat it after undergoing chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free.
Bamba was born in France, but made 46 appearances for the country of his parents’ birth – the Ivory Coast.
After playing, he stayed with football and moved into management as assistant manager of Cardiff City in 2023.
This year he was the technical director of Turkish Adanaspor.
That club paid tribute to the manager saying that yesterday before the game he “fell ill” and “was taken to the Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital where he unfortunately lost his battle for life”.
“Our condolences to his family and our community.”
BAMBIA’S BATTLES FOR HEALTH
Sol Bambi was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma on Christmas Eve 2020 before undergoing four months of chemotherapy.
He told Mail Sport in 2022: “After the first chemotherapy I was out of action for four days.
“I couldn’t get out of bed. I lost weight. After that I told my lady ‘I’m not going to the second round’. The way I was, at that moment, it was awful.”
But the defender quickly rose to the occasion and was praised for raising awareness of the disease while fighting it head-on.
Speaking to the Guardian in November last year, he said: “The way I started, people were praising me… it was too much.
“I’m just like that. I understand that some people prefer to shy away from it, but I’m different. I’m just me.
“Even the clubs are careful now when they do medicals, everything from the Premier League to League Two, which is massive. In our game, we talk about injuries, but you never think about cancer.”
Bamba was cleared in May 2021, but said he still needs to be “careful,” seeing a doctor regularly.
“Unfortunately, once you’ve had cancer, you always have to double-check and make sure it doesn’t come back,” he continued. “Is he behind me 100%? Well, I would love to, but you never know.”
Incredibly, he returned to football just five months after his diagnosis.
At the time of his return, he said: “When I was going through chemotherapy, I never thought for a minute that I would come back and play. And I never thought about scoring penalties at Old Trafford – nights like that seemed a million miles away.”
On Thursday – just days before his death – Bamba posted a heartbreaking tribute to former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson following his death from terminal cancer.
He said: “Deeply shaken by the news of Sven’s death today.
“He was not only a great person, he was also the best coach I ever had, inspiring my journey as a player but also as a manager.
“My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sven.”
The pair have worked together for the first time since 2011, when Bamba joined Leicester City where Eriksson was manager.
Later, they reunited in the Ivory Coast national team.
In 2020, Bamba was brutally robbed of his Range Rover, Louis Vuitton bag and Cartier watch in a raid on his £90,000 home.
Fans also paid tribute to the player.
One said: “Disgusting, early football memory of him scoring against Man City on debut.”
Another wrote: “Absolutely devastating. What a human being. Had the pleasure of having him at Middlesbrough. Colossus of a man.”
While a third posted: “Devastating, remember him in Cardiff. Absolute legend.”
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Bamba made 112 appearances for Cardiff CityCredit: PA: Press Association
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