Former Premier League defender who performed throughout a number of golf equipment, Sol Bamba, has died on the age of 39 whereas answerable for a match for a Turkish membership.
His loss of life was confirmed on Saturday.
The former defender, recognized for his stints with Leeds United, Cardiff City, and Leicester City, had been battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma since 2020.
Bamba, who additionally represented the Ivory Coast nationwide workforce, was serving because the technical director of Turkish aspect, Adanaspor, on the time of his loss of life.
The membership introduced the information in a press release on X, stating, “Our Technical Director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the Manisa Football Club match played 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.”
The former Cardiff City, Leeds, and Leicester defender had been identified with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a uncommon type of most cancers, on Christmas Eve in 2020.
Although he was believed to be in remission, Turkish outlet Hurriyet reported that he “fell ill before the Manisa FK match due to a relapse of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.”
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After retiring from skilled soccer in 2022, Bamba transitioned into teaching, serving as an assistant supervisor for Cardiff City earlier than becoming a member of Adanaspor in the summertime of 2024.
He had been working because the membership’s technical director till his premature passing.
Tributes have poured in from Bamba’s former golf equipment and teammates.
Cardiff City, the place he spent a good portion of his profession, launched a heartfelt assertion 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 was 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.”
Middlesbrough, the place Bamba performed within the 2021-22 season, additionally paid tribute on X: “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.”
Leeds United, the place Bamba served as captain in 2016, expressed their sorrow: “Everyone at #LUFC is devastated to learn of 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 forever in our hearts.”
Bamba started his soccer journey in Paris with Paris Saint-Germain’s youth setup earlier than shifting to Scotland, the place he performed for Dunfermline and Hibernian.
His English soccer profession began in 2011 when he joined Leicester City underneath Sven-Goran Eriksson, with whom he shared an in depth bond.
Earlier this week, Bamba paid tribute to his former supervisor, Eriksson, who additionally just lately handed away.
Bamba later performed for Trabzonspor and Palermo earlier than returning to England in 2015 to hitch Leeds.
His captaincy at Leeds was minimize brief when he moved to Cardiff City in 2016, the place he made 118 appearances.
It was throughout his time in Cardiff that he was identified with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He fought the illness for a number of months present process chemotherapy, and made an emotional return within the remaining match of the 2020-21 season.
He subsequently signed for Middlesbrough, the place he made 28 appearances and famously scored the successful penalty within the FA Cup fourth-round conflict towards Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Reflecting on his battle with most cancers, Bamba as soon as advised Mail Sport, “After the first chemo, I was down for four days. I could not get out of bed. I lost weight. After that, I told my missus, ‘I’m not going for the second round.’ The way I was, in that moment, it was awful.”
Despite the challenges, Bamba made a return to the pitch, inspiring many along with his resilience.