Former Premier League defender who performed throughout a number of golf equipment, Sol Bamba, has died on the age of 39 whereas in control of a match for a Turkish membership.
His demise was confirmed on Saturday.
The previous defender, recognized for his stints with Leeds United, Cardiff Metropolis, and Leicester Metropolis, had been battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma since 2020.
Bamba, who additionally represented the Ivory Coast nationwide group, was serving because the technical director of Turkish aspect, Adanaspor, on the time of his demise.
The membership introduced the information in a press release on X, stating, “Our Technical Director Souleymane Bamba, who fell in poor health earlier than the Manisa Soccer Membership match performed yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar College Hospital and sadly misplaced his battle for all times there. Our condolences to his household and our neighborhood.”
The previous Cardiff Metropolis, Leeds, and Leicester defender had been identified with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a uncommon type of most cancers, on Christmas Eve in 2020.
Though he was believed to be in remission, Turkish outlet Hurriyet reported that he “fell in poor health earlier than the Manisa FK match because of a relapse of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.”
After retiring from skilled soccer in 2022, Bamba transitioned into teaching, serving as an assistant supervisor for Cardiff Metropolis 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 Metropolis, the place he spent a good portion of his profession, launched a heartfelt assertion on X: “It’s with the deepest unhappiness that we now have learnt this night concerning the passing of Membership legend, Sol Bamba. As a participant and coach, Sol’s impression on our soccer membership was immeasurable. He was a hero to all of us, a frontrunner in each dressing room, and a real gentleman. Our ideas are along with his buddies, household, and everybody fortunate sufficient to know and love Sol.”
Middlesbrough, the place Bamba performed within the 2021-22 season, additionally paid tribute on X: “We’re devastated to be taught of the passing of Sol Bamba on the age of 39. Our ideas are with Sol’s household and buddies presently. RIP Sol.”
Leeds United, the place Bamba served as captain in 2016, expressed their sorrow: “Everybody at #LUFC is devastated to be taught of the information that former #LUFC captain Sol Bamba has handed away. Our ideas and condolences are along with his household and buddies at this tragic time. Relaxation in peace, Sol, you can be perpetually 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 Metropolis below Sven-Goran Eriksson, with whom he shared a detailed 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 quick when he moved to Cardiff Metropolis 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 closing match of the 2020-21 season.
He subsequently signed for Middlesbrough, the place he made 28 appearances and famously scored the profitable penalty within the FA Cup fourth-round conflict in opposition to Manchester United at Outdated Trafford.
Reflecting on his battle with most cancers, Bamba as soon as advised Mail Sport, “After the primary chemo, I used to be down for 4 days. I couldn’t get off the bed. I misplaced weight. After that, I advised my missus, ‘I’m not going for the second spherical.’ The way in which I used to be, in that second, it was terrible.”
Regardless of the challenges, Bamba made a return to the pitch, inspiring many along with his resilience.