Sol Bamba dead aged 39: Ex-Leeds United, Leicester City and Cardiff City star dies – three years after cancer diagnosis
EX-PREMIER League star Sol Bamba has died with tributes pouring in for the footballer.
The centre-back – who overcame cancer in 2021 and was believed to be in the clear – tragically passed away on Saturday aged just 39.
The former Ivory Coast international fell ill on Friday while working for Turkish side Adanaspor before passing away hours later.
Turkish outlet hurriyet have reported that he “fell ill before the Manisa FK match due to a relapse of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma“.
Just days before his death – Bamba posted a heartbreaking tribute to ex-England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson following his passing from terminal cancer.
His heartbroken wife Chloe – whom he shared children Roonea, Lily and Amy – praised his “astounding mental and physical strength and stoicism” during his health battle.
She said: “Unfortunately, it was never a fair fight and just when things were looking up he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August.”
Then added: “Sol accepted his fate as God’s will and left this earth knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly. I made sure of that.”
Bamba was known as one of the good guys of football and made 51 appearances for Leeds United and 24 for Middlesbrough.
He played in the Premier League with Cardiff City in the 2018-2019 season after being promoted in second place in the Championship the previous year.
Cardiff City said Bamba was a “club legend” and his death brought them the “deepest sadness”.
“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.”
Leeds United said in a post on X: “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.”
Middlesbrough FC said: “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.”
Former club Trabzonspor paid a heartbreaking tribute to their former player who made 27 appearances.
They said in a statement: “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.”
SOL BAMBA'S WIFE CHLOE'S FULL STATEMENT
“For the last few years I have watched Sol fight his cancer head on with an astounding mental and physical strength and stoicism.
“Unfortunately, it was never a fair fight and just when things were looking up he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August.
“These years have been indescribably difficult but we still managed to find joy and laughter in it.
“I’ve experienced my worst days but also some of my best.
“Sol accepted his fate as God’s will and left this earth knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly. I made sure of that.
“It was an honour to have loved and been loved by Sol. I learnt so much from him. He is my hero. My heart is breaking.
“What a gift, what a gift, what a gift to have been loved by him.”
He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma on Christmas Eve 2020 but had beaten it after undergoing four months of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free.
Bamba was born in France but made 46 appearances for the country of his parents’ birth – Ivory Coast.
After playing he stayed with football and moved into management as an assistant manager with Cardiff City in 2023.
He was technical director of Turkish side Adanaspor this year.
That club shared a tribute to the manager saying he “fell ill” before a match yesterday and “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'S HEALTH BATTLES
Sol Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma on Christmas Eve 2020 before undergoing four months of chemo.
He told Mail Sport in 2022: “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.”
But the defender quickly rose to the occasion and was lauded for raising awareness of the disease as he battled it head on.
Speaking to the Guardian in November last year he said: “The way I went about it, people gave me praise … it was too much.
“That’s just what I’m like. I understand some people prefer to shy away from it, but I’m different. I’m just being myself.
“Even clubs now are being careful now when they do medical checks, all the way from Premier League to League Two, which is massive. In our game we talk about injuries but you never think about cancer.”
Bamba was given the all-clear in May 2021, but said he still had to be “careful”, paying regular visits to the doctor.
“Unfortunately when you’ve had cancer once, you always have to double check and make sure it doesn’t come back,” he continued. “Is it behind me 100%? Well, I wish but you never know.”
Incredibly, he returned to playing football just five months after his diagnosis.
At the time of his comeback, he said: “When I was going through chemo, I never thought for one minute I would come back and play. And I never thought about scoring penalties at Old Trafford – nights like that seemed a million miles away.”
Bamba’s X post to Eriksson on Thursday said: “Deeply devastated by the news of Sven’s passing today.
“He was not just an exquisite person, but he was also the best coach I’ve ever had, inspiring my journey as a player but also as a manager.
“My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sven.”
The pair had first worked together from 2011, when Bamba joined Leicester City where Eriksson was manager.
They later reunited in the Ivory Coast national team setup.
In 2020, Bamba was cruelly robbed of his Range Rover, a Louis Vuitton bag and a Cartier watch in a £90,000 raid on his home.
Fans also paid tribute to the player.
One said: “Gutted, early footballing memory of him scoring against Man City on debut.”
Another wrote: “Absolutely devastating. What a human being. Had the pleasure of having him at Middlesbrough. Colossus of a man.”
While a third posted: “Devastating, remember him at Cardiff. Absolute legend.”