Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday.

"Leeds United are devastated to learn of the passing of former captain Sol Bamba at the age of 39," said a statement from the English side.

Bamba had been working with the coaching staff at Turkish side Adanaspor when he was taken ill on Friday.

"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," said Adanaspor in a statement on social media.

"Our condolences to his family and our community."

Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while with Cardiff City, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Welsh club as well as Middlesbrough.

France-born Bamba began his playing career at Paris St Germain before moving to Scotland.

He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final 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.

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He played more than 100 times for Cardiff.

Cardiff posted on X: "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 thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone lucky enough to know and love Sol."

Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, winning 46 international caps in total.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday.

Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday. "Leeds United are devastated to learn of the passing of former captain Sol Bamba at the age of 39," said a statement from the English side. Bamba had been working with the coaching staff at Turkish side Adanaspor when he was taken ill on Friday. "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," said Adanaspor in a statement on social media. "Our condolences to his family and our community." Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while with Cardiff City, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Welsh club as well as Middlesbrough. France-born Bamba began his playing career at Paris St Germain before moving to Scotland. He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final 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. ALSO READ | ENG vs SL, 2nd Test: Joe Root goes past Alastair Cook for most Test hundreds for England He played more than 100 times for Cardiff. Cardiff posted on X: "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 thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone lucky enough to know and love Sol." Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, winning 46 international caps in total. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba dies at 39, confirms Leeds United

Some of the Cardiff City players are scared to fly after January signing Emiliano Sala's flight disappeared over the English Channel last week, defender Sol Bamba has said.

Cardiff played their first game since Sala's disappearance on Tuesday, a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Arsenal, where tributes were paid to the missing Argentine forward and pilot David Ibbotson prior to kickoff.&nbsp;

The plane carrying Sala that disappeared from radar on Jan. 21 is yet to be found and Bamba said the team was badly affected by the "unusual situation".

"We travel by plane and some of the lads have been thinking `I don`t want to go on it anymore`," Bamba told BBC.

"The gaffer... and the club have been good in terms of bringing someone in to talk to if we need to. And I think some of the lads do, they need to get it out."

Bamba, who knew Sala personally through his agent, said he discussed the move to Cardiff with the Argentine who was signed from French Ligue 1 club Nantes.

"It is not just me finding it difficult, even though I had a personal connection to him," Bamba added. "I don't feel more sad than the other lads, everyone feels sad, the whole club."

Rescuers ended their search for Sala last week after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived but a privately funded operation is set to search for wreckage on Sunday.&nbsp;

Some of the Cardiff City players are scared to fly after January signing Emiliano Sala's flight disappeared over the English Channel last week, defender Sol Bamba has said.

Some of the Cardiff City players are scared to fly after January signing Emiliano Sala's flight disappeared over the English Channel last week, defender Sol Bamba has said. Cardiff played their first game since Sala's disappearance on Tuesday, a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Arsenal, where tributes were paid to the missing Argentine forward and pilot David Ibbotson prior to kickoff. The plane carrying Sala that disappeared from radar on Jan. 21 is yet to be found and Bamba said the team was badly affected by the "unusual situation". "We travel by plane and some of the lads have been thinking `I don`t want to go on it anymore`," Bamba told BBC. "The gaffer... and the club have been good in terms of bringing someone in to talk to if we need to. And I think some of the lads do, they need to get it out." Bamba, who knew Sala personally through his agent, said he discussed the move to Cardiff with the Argentine who was signed from French Ligue 1 club Nantes. "It is not just me finding it difficult, even though I had a personal connection to him," Bamba added. "I don't feel more sad than the other lads, everyone feels sad, the whole club." Rescuers ended their search for Sala last week after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived but a privately funded operation is set to search for wreckage on Sunday.

Cardiff players scared to fly after Emiliano Sala's disappearance, says defender Bamba

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Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba dies at 39, confirms Leeds United

Cardiff players scared to fly after Emiliano Sala's disappearance, says defender Bamba