Former Cardiff and Leeds United defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39.

Bamba had been employed at Turkish club Adanaspor, which announced his death on Saturday night.

The club in a statement said: “Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the match against Manisa Football Club yesterday, 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 was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while at Cardiff, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Bluebirds and Middlesbrough.

His career also took in the likes of Leicester, Hibernian and Dunfermline, in addition to 46 international appearances for the Ivory Coast.

Leeds said in a statement posted 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.”

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Cardiff said Bamba was “a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman”.

Middlesbrough stated: “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. RIP Sol.”

The Football Association said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of Bamba’s death.

Bamba, who was born in France to Ivorian parents, began his playing career at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before moving to Scotland after failing to establish himself in the first team.

He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final in his first season, before moving to Hibs and then Leicester in 2011.

Following spells in Turkey and Italy, he joined Leeds, where he was club captain, while in his first full season at Cardiff he helped them clinch promotion to the Premier League.

Bamba played more than 100 times for the Bluebirds and was assistant manager for six months in 2023.

Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his final international appearance two years later.

The Star