Football mourns Sol Bamba who has died at 39

Lea Hogg September 1, 2024

Sol Bamba, a former defender for clubs such as Leeds United, Leicester City, Cardiff City, and Hibernian, has passed away at the age of 39. Born in France, Bamba enjoyed a distinguished career in British football, having begun his journey with Paris St-Germain before moving on to Dunfermline and Hibernian in Scotland. His performances eventually led to a move to Leicester City under Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2011.

Bamba made his mark at Cardiff City, where he became a fan favourite after signing on a free transfer in 2016. He played a crucial role in Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League in 2018, even scoring on his debut. His leadership and commitment on and off the pitch earned him legendary status at the club.

In 2021, while still with Cardiff, Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Remarkably, he returned to playing just four months after announcing he was cancer-free following chemotherapy. Bamba continued his career at Middlesbrough before returning to Cardiff as an assistant manager in 2023.

“Sol accepted his fate as God’s will and left this earth knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly.” Chloe Bamba

Bamba was working as a technical director at Turkish club Adanaspor at the time of his passing. The club announced that he fell ill before a match and later died in the hospital. The news has been met with deep sadness across the football community. Cardiff City described him as a “hero” and a “true gentleman,” while Leeds United expressed their devastation at the loss of their former captain. Tributes also poured in from his former clubs Dunfermline, Middlesbrough, and Hibernian, all mourning the loss of a player and person who made a lasting impact.

Bamba is survived by his wife, Chloe, and four children. Sol Bamba’s legacy as a player, leader, and inspiration to many remains enduring.