Football: Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39.

(Reuters) – Former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39, Turkish club Adanaspor, where he was technical director, said on Saturday.

Bamba played for Cardiff City, Leeds United and Leicester City. He has also played for Italian club Palermo, Scottish clubs Dunfermline Athletic and Hibernian and Turkish club Trabzonspor.

He made 46 appearances for his country, scoring one goal, and retired in January 2023. He became a coach, initially serving as assistant coach at Cardiff before taking over as technical director at Adanaspor.

“Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before yesterday's match against Manisa Football Club, was admitted to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his fight for life,” Adanaspor said in a statement.

“Our condolences go out to his family and our community.”

Bamba was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021, but after chemotherapy he was declared cancer-free.

Cardiff City, where Bamba won promotion to the Premier League in his first season, described his influence on the club as “immeasurable”.

“It is with deep sadness that we learned this evening of the passing of club legend Sol Bamba. He was a hero to us all, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman,” the club said in a statement.

“This is absolutely tragic news. Sol Bamba has passed away at the age of just 39. Our deepest condolences go out to the family,” the Ivory Coast national football team said on Instagram.

Leeds United called him “one of the nicest people in football”.

“The thoughts of everyone at Leeds United are with Sol's family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace Sol, you will be in our hearts forever.”

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)