Former Premier League defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39 after falling ill, Turkish club Adanaspor have confirmed.
Bamba, who was head coach of the TFF First League side, was taken ill before their match away at Manisa FK on Friday and later passed away.
“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,” the club said in a statement.
“Our condolences to his family and our community.”
The Ivorian international had a distinguished playing career, representing several clubs including Leeds United, Palermo, Leicester City and Cardiff City. He made 46 appearances for the Ivory Coast national team and was part of the squad that reached the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final, losing to Zambia.
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 and spent five seasons with the Welsh outfit.
His death comes just months after taking up his first senior managerial role with Adanaspor in Turkey’s second tier.
Bamba went from Paris St-Germain to Dunfermline and on to Hibernian, joining Leicester under Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2011
Just four days ago, Bamba had expressed his condolences following the death of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, writing:
“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.”
His untimely passing has sent shockwaves through the football community, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, managers, and fans.
His battle against non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021, which he overcame to return to professional football, had already endeared him to many as an inspirational figure both on and off the pitch.
Bamba joined Leeds after spells with Trabzonspor in Turkey and Palermo in Italy.
But it was at Cardiff where he would make perhaps his biggest mark, becoming a fan favourite after being signed on a free by Neil Warnock in 2016.
