Former football professional dies at the age of 39

He worked for Cardiff City for a long time as a player and as a coach. Now former football professional Sol Bamba has died unexpectedly.

The former professional footballer and current technical director of the Turkish second division club Adanaspor Sol Bamba has died. He died suddenly at the age of 39, his club announced.

“Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before yesterday’s match against Manisa Football Club, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there,” the club wrote on the X platform on Saturday. “Our condolences to our community, especially to his family.

Bamba spent most of his career in England, where he played for Leicester City and Leeds United, among others. His longest spell was with Cardiff City between 2016 and 2021. He played for them in both the Premier League and the second-tier Championship. After retiring, he initially worked as an assistant coach at Cardiff before starting as technical director at Adanaspor in July this year.

Many of Bamba’s former clubs have spoken out following his death. Cardiff wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we have learned this evening of the passing of club icon Sol Bamba. As a player and coach, Sol Bamba had an immeasurable impact on our football club. He was a hero to us all, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman.

Leeds United said: “Everyone at Leeds was devastated to learn of the passing of former Leeds captain Sol Bamba. Rest in peace Sol, you will be in our hearts forever.” Middlesbrough said they were “shocked” by Bamba’s death and Turkish club Tabzonspor, for whom the footballer played between 2012 and 2014, spoke of “deep sadness”. All clubs expressed their condolences to Bamba’s family.

Bamba was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, but beat the disease after chemotherapy. Nothing is known about the circumstances of his death.