Sol Bamba, the former defender for the Ivory Coast national team, has passed away at the age of 39, as announced by Turkish club Adanaspor, where he held the position of technical director.
Bamba’s professional career included stints at Cardiff City, Leeds United, and Leicester City, along with time spent at the Italian club Palermo, Scottish teams Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian, and the Turkish club Trabzonspor.
He earned 46 caps for the Ivory Coast, netting one goal during his international career. Bamba retired from professional football in January 2023 and transitioned into coaching, initially serving as assistant manager at Cardiff City before assuming the role of technical director at Adanaspor.
In a statement, Adanaspor expressed their sorrow, stating, “Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill prior to yesterday’s match against Manisa Football Club, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and, regrettably, lost his life.”
Bamba received a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, but after undergoing chemotherapy, he was declared cancer-free.
“Regrettably, the news has been confirmed,” stated Sory Diabaté, the former vice-president of the Ivorian Football Federation, in an interview with ESPN. “We have indeed lost an extraordinary individual.”
Cardiff City, where Bamba achieved promotion to the Premier League in his inaugural season, described his influence on the club as “immeasurable.”
“It is with profound sorrow that we have learned this evening of the passing of our club legend, Sol Bamba. He was a hero to all of us, a leader in every locker room, and a true gentleman,” the club expressed in an official statement.
“This is truly heartbreaking news. Sol Bamba has departed at the young age of 39. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family,” remarked the Ivory Coast national football team on Instagram.
Leeds United referred to him as “one of the kindest individuals in football.”
“The thoughts of everyone at Leeds United are with Sol’s family and friends during this sorrowful time. Rest in peace, Sol; you will always remain in our hearts,” the club conveyed in a statement.