Former Premier League star Sol Bamba has died aged 39

There has been a wide outpouring of grief after the popular former Leeds United and Leicester City defender passed away.

Sol Bamba has sadly passed away.

Ex-Premier League star Sol Bamba has died, with tributes pouring in for the former footballer.

The centre-back – who initially overcame cancer in 2021 and was believed to be in the clear – tragically passed away on Saturday aged just 39, as The Sun reports.

The former Ivory Coast international fell ill on Friday (Saturday AEST) while working for Turkish side Adanaspor before passing away hours later.

Turkish outlet hurriyet reported that he “fell ill before the Manisa FK match due to a relapse of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma”.

Sol Bamba (right) has passed away aged just 39. (Photo by Ben STANSALL/AFP).

Just days before his death, Bamba posted a heartbreaking tribute to ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson following his passing from terminal cancer.

Bamba’s heartbroken wife Chloe – with 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 2018-19 season after being promoted in second place in the Championship the previous year.

Bamba competing against Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku in the FA Cup in 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF/AFP)

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.

Sol Bamba has sadly passed away.

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.”

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 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.”

It is with the deepest sadness that we have learnt this evening about the passing of Club legend, Sol Bamba.

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… pic.twitter.com/f4eOicxMyt

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) August 31, 2024

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 set up.

In 2020, Bamba was cruelly robbed of his Range Rover, a Louis Vuitton bag and a Cartier watch in a £90,000 ($174,000) 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.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Former Premier League star Sol Bamba has died aged 39