Ex-Ivory Coast, Cardiff defender Sol Bamba dies aged 39

Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba has died aged 39, Turkish membership Adanaspor, the place he was technical director, introduced on Saturday.

Bamba performed for Cardiff Metropolis, Leeds United and Leicester Metropolis. He additionally had spells with Italian facet Palermo, Scottish golf equipment Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian, and Turkish facet Trabzonspor.

He made 46 appearances for his nation, scoring one purpose. He retired from soccer in January 2023 and went into teaching, serving as assistant supervisor at Cardiff earlier than taking on the function of technical director at Adanaspor.

“Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ailing earlier than yesterday’s match towards Manisa Soccer Membership, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar College Hospital and sadly misplaced his battle for all times,” Adanaspor mentioned in an announcement.

“Our condolences exit to his household and our group.”

Bamba was identified with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, however was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy.

“Sadly, the information has been confirmed,” Sory Diabaté, the previous vice-president of the Ivorian Soccer Federation advised ESPN. “We’ve really misplaced a terrific particular person.”

Cardiff Metropolis, the place Bamba received promotion to the Premier League in his first season, referred to as his influence on the membership “immeasurable.”

“It’s with the deepest disappointment that we’ve learnt this night in regards to the passing of Membership legend, Sol Bamba. He was a hero to all of us, a pacesetter in each dressing room and a real gentleman,” the membership mentioned in an announcement.

“That is completely tragic information. Sol Bamba has handed away on the age of simply 39. Our deepest condolences to the household,” the Ivory Coast nationwide soccer group mentioned on Instagram.

Leeds United referred to as him “one of many nicest folks in soccer.”

“The ideas of everybody at Leeds United are with Sol’s household and associates at this tragic time. Relaxation in peace Sol, you’ll without end be in our hearts, the membership mentioned in an announcement.