Sol Bamba’s old manager Neil Warnock and his former team-mates have posted emotional tributes to honour the ex-footballer following his tragic passing at the age of 39 on Saturday.
The Ivorian, who had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma back in 2020, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital after falling ill on Saturday and tragically died there,’ Turkish side Adanaspor released in a statement on social media.
Bamba enjoyed a glittering playing career in football before his retirement in 2022, starring for clubs including Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Leicester after coming through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain.
Warnock managed Bamba during his three-year spell as Cardiff boss between 2016 and 2019, winning promotion with the Welsh club in 2018. He later coached the defender at Middlesbrough too.
Posting an emotional tribute on X, formerly Twitter, Warnock said: ‘I can’t believe I won’t see that beaming smile again. I’m so happy that Sol was part of my life and we had such brilliant memories together.
Sol Bamba’s old boss Neil Warnock has paid his respects after the ex-footballer died aged 39
The ex-Cardiff, Leeds and Leicester star passed away in hospital after falling ill on Saturday
‘I’m heartbroken for Chloe and the family and all my thoughts are with them. Sol was a ray of sunshine and I’ll miss him so much.’
Canadian international Junior Hoilett, who played alongside Bamba at Cardiff, led tributes to his former team-mate and said: ‘RIP Big Bro. Love Always.’
Ipswich Town star Sam Morsy followed suit, having played with Bamba at Middlesbrough, and posted: ‘Ahhh man big Sol .. incredible human one of the best I’ve shared a dressing room with, at the start of his coaching career.’
He then continued by writing in Arabic, adding: ‘We belong to Allah and to him we shall return.’
Another of Bamba’s old Cardiff team-mates, Neil Etheridge, said: ‘One of the nicest guys I have met off the field and on it. Always smiling, always so happy, always seeing the brighter side of life.
‘When I joined the club, before he knew me, Sol treated me as a brother. When we got to know each other we became family. Rest in peace Sol.’
Bamba’s former clubs also took to social media to pay homage to the ex-defender, who made 46 international appearances for the Ivory Coast between 2008 and 2014.
Leeds posted: ‘Everyone at #LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former #LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away.
Bamba and Warnock send a warm embrace during their days together at Middlesbrough
Leeds United and Rotherham manager Steve Evans also posted emotional tributes to Bamba
Former team-mate Junior Hoilett, pictured in 2019, referred to Bamba as ‘Big Bro’ in his post
‘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.’
Leicester also paid a heartfelt tribute, posting: ‘We are all devastated to hear that our former defender, Sol Bamba, has passed away, aged 39.
‘Sol, a popular figure during his brief but memorable stay in Leicester, made 55 appearances for the Foxes, scoring four goals. Our thoughts are with Sol’s friends and family at this sad time.’
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Rotherham, sharing the words of manager Steve Evans, wrote: ‘Given the passing of my former club captain and friend at Leeds United, Sol Bamba, may I express my deepest condolences to his immediate family and friends.
‘I spent many hours with him and he often spoke of his love for his wife Chloe and his children Roonea, Lily and Amy.
‘He was a great leader, a gentlemen and on the pitch and he was a warrior for me in my time as head coach at Leeds United. See you at the far post big man.. RIP.’
Cardiff wrote: ‘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.’
Presenters Jeff Stelling and Laura Woods were also devastated by the news and paid emotional tributes of either own on social media, with the former describing him as one of the ‘nicest men he had ever met’.
‘I have just seen the devastating news about Sol Bamba,’ Stelling posted on X. ‘Just one of the nicest men I have ever met.
Leicester and Cardiff took to social media also to honour the ‘immeasurable’ impact he had
Former Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling said Bamba ‘never had a smile far from his face’
Presenter Laura Woods shared her first interview experience with Bamba back in 2018
‘He was a big supporter of my prostate cancer walks and never had a smile far from his face. My heart goes out to family and friends.’
Woods wrote: ‘Ohh, goodness. Sol. I first interviewed Sol in 2018. He talked about his father-son relationship with Neil Warnock, how he waited for Neil to get the Cardiff job so he could sign him, gained promotion & eventually realised his dream of playing in the Premier League, he said best decision he’d made.
‘I always found him to be such a wonderfully happy and friendly man, a real gentleman. What a tragic loss to the world. All my condolences to his loved ones. Rest easy, Sol.’
