Ex-Premier League defender Sol Bamba has tragically died at the age of 39 after falling ill, Turkish club Adanaspor AS have confirmed. Bamba was the head coach of the TFF First League side in what was his first senior role in management.
He was taken ill before their match away at Manisa FK on Friday and later passed away.
The club said in a statement: “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.”
Bamba was a popular figure at all of his previous clubs and captained both Leeds United and Cardiff City. He played in the Premier League for the Bluebirds in 2018-19 after helping lead them to promotion from the Championship.
He spent five seasons with the Welsh outfit, making 112 appearances overall, and is a legendary figure at the club.
They posted: “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.”
Bamba also played for Paris Saint-Germain, Leicester City and Middlesbrough in an 18-year career that saw him make 423 first-team appearances.
Leeds United posted on Saturday night: “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.”
Boro also offered their condolences: “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.”
The former centre-half had also started his coaching career at Cardiff as the assistant to ex-manager Sabri Lamouchi in 2023.
Ex-Ivory Coast international Bamba, who earned 46 caps, had been keen to take up management and only went over to Turkey to become the manager of second-tier side Adanaspor last month.
Bamba also spent time in the country as a player for Trabzonspor, who said: “We have learned with deep sorrow the passing of Adanaspor Coach Sol Bamba, who wore our jersey between 2012-2014.
“May God have mercy on him and we offer our condolences to his family and all his loved ones.”
The Ivorian had previously battled cancer during his playing career. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2021 and underwent a course of chemotherapy.
He said: “I had my treatment in Wales and the NHS were very, very good – every one of them looked after me and my family and I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“It was a difficult time but everyone at Cardiff, but not just Cardiff because I was overwhelmed by the support that I had all around the world really and especially England.
“I had messages from strangers and that helped massively because it gives you the strength to try and beat it so it was very, very good for me and the family to receive that support from all around the world.
“All of my clubs were very good, even the clubs that I didn’t play for but my clubs were checking in regularly, sending messages and calling me.
“I was shocked because I didn’t realise that the football world could do that. I thought I was just someone who kicked a ball but when people found out the support I had was crazy.
“It helped me massively but the main support is your family – the missus, my mum and dad and the kids because it’s tough on them but they were strong for me and that helped me, definitely.”
Bamba eventually returned to the pitch five months later in Cardiff’s final match of the 2020-21 season – a 1-1 draw with Rotherham. He retired as a player in the summer of 2022 after a single season at Boro and took up coaching.
