Former Cardiff and Leeds defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39 . Bamba had been employed at Turkish club Adanaspor , who announced the news late on Saturday night . A club statement read : ” 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 .” Bamba was diagnosed with Non – Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while at Cardiff , but was declared cancer – free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Bluebirds and Middlesbrough . His career also took in the likes of Leicester , Hibernian and Dunfermline , in addition to 46 international appearances for the Ivory Coast . ” Everyone at LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away ,” Leeds said in a statement posted on X . ” 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 .” Middlesbrough wrote : ” We are devastated to learn of the passing of Sol Bamba at the age of 39 . Our thoughts are with Sol ‘ s family and friends at this time . RIP Sol ” Bamba , who was born in France to Ivorian parents , began his playing career at Paris St Germain before moving to Scotland after failing to establish himself in the first team . He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final in his first season , before moving to Hibs and then Leicester in 2011 . Following spells in Turkey and Italy he joined Leeds , where he was club captain , while in his first full season at Cardiff he helped them clinch promotion to the Premier League . He played more than 100 times for Cardiff and was assistant manager for six months in 2023 . Cardiff posted on X : ” It is with the deepest sadness that we have learnt this evening about the passing of club legend , Sol Bamba . ” As a player and coach , Sol ‘ s impact on our football club w
as immeasurable . He was a hero to all of us , 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 .” Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations . He made his final international appearance two years later . dpa pa dge

Source: The Namibia News Agency