Ivorian football legend Sol Bamba has sadly died at the age of 39. The former defender left a lasting legacy on and off the field.
Sol Bamba, the ex-Premier League defender widely known for his successful stints with notable football clubs including Leeds United, Cardiff City and Leicester City, has passed away at 39 years of age while serving as a manager in Turkey.
Since 2020, Bamba had been struggling with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – an uncommon type of cancer.
At the moment of his passing, Bamba held the position of technical director at Adanaspor—a Turkish club he served in addition to playing for Ivory Coast’s national team.
In a statement posted on social media, the club announced that Bamba had passed away after falling ill prior to a match against Manisa Football Club and ultimately passing away at the hospital. The announcement expressed deep sorrow about his tragic death.
Bamba’s passing has garnered swift tribute from the football community. Described as a “legend” and a “true gentleman,” Cardiff City – where Bamba spent much of his career – was among those paying their respects. Additionally, Leeds United, where he served as captain in 2016, and Middlesbrough-where he played during the 2021-22 season-were also saddened by the loss.
Paris was Bamba’s starting point in football as he enrolled himself with Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy. He advanced on to Dunfermline and Hibernian, both Scottish teams where his expertise shone bright before heading towards England in 2011 for Leicester City where Sven-Goran Eriksson awaited him.
Bamba switched to coaching after retiring from professional football in 2022. He began as an assistant manager for Cardiff City and later migrated to Adanaspor where he joined the team in 2024.
The tale of Bamba is a testament to his unwavering spirit, as he motivated countless individuals with his unrelenting efforts against illness – even making a comeback on the field following chemotherapy. His contributions as both an athlete and instructor will remain in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
