Share this @internewscast.com

Leeds United have paid tribute to their former captain Sol Bamba, who passed away last month after a battle with cancer, aged 39.

Fans at Leeds’ Elland Road held a minute’s applause prior to their 12:30pm kick-off against Burnley on Saturday, commemorating the life of Bamba who played for the club between 2015 and 2016.

Bamba was previously diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of cancer back on Christmas Eve in 2020 but was believed to be in the clear. 

The former defender was a popular figure in English football having donned the jerseys of Leicester City, Leeds, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough.

Fans at Elland Road led tributes to former Leeds' captain, Sol Bamba, on Saturday

Fans at Elland Road led tributes to former Leeds’ captain, Sol Bamba, on Saturday

Bamba was a popular player among Leeds fans during his short time at Elland Road

Bamba was a popular player among Leeds fans during his short time at Elland Road

Bamba fell ill before he was due to take charge of a match for Turkish club Adanaspor

Bamba fell ill before he was due to take charge of a match for Turkish club Adanaspor

Since retiring in 2022, Bamba made the move into coaching, becoming an assistant manager for his former club Cardiff before joining Turkish side Adanaspor.

The 39-year-old had been working as the club’s technical director since the summer until his untimely passing.

When Bamba passed in August, Leeds originally wrote 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.

Bamba grew up in Paris and that is where his love for the game sprung, starting his career with Paris Saint-Germain’s youth setup before taking the leap and deciding to move to Scotland where he played for both Dunfermline and then Hibernian.

In 2011 his affair with English football began when he joined Leicester City, where he played under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Bamba paid tribute to his former manager after their death at the age of 76 in August.

He wrote on X: ‘Deeply devastated by the news of Sven’s passing today. He was not just an exquisite person, but he was also the best coach I’ve ever had, inspiring my journey as a player but also as a manager.

‘My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Sven.’

The pair shared a good relationship having previously worked together in the Ivory Coast national team setup where the Swede manager also coached Bamba.

He then headed away from England, playing for Trabzonspor and Palermo before returning in 2015 to play for Leeds.

His captaincy stint with Leeds was pulled short when he moved to Cardiff City in 2016 where he made 118 appearances for the club.

It was during his time in Wales that Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of cancer.

Fans held a one minute's applause for Bamba, before breaking into chants of his name

Fans held a one minute’s applause for Bamba, before breaking into chants of his name

Bamba signed for Leeds between 2015 and 2016, during a short stint in which he captained the team

Bamba signed for Leeds between 2015 and 2016, during a short stint in which he captained the team

The centre-back spent four mounts months battling the aggressive cancer by undergoing chemotherapy.

‘After the first chemo I was down for four days,’ he told Mail Sport back in 2022.

‘I could not get out of bed. I lost weight. After that, I told my missus, ‘I’m not going for the second round’. The way I was, in that moment, it was awful.

Bamba made a triumphant return in the final match of the 2020-21 season and went on to sign for Middlesbrough ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Since retiring in 2022, Bamba returned to Cardiff taking up a role as an assistant manager

Since retiring in 2022, Bamba returned to Cardiff taking up a role as an assistant manager

He went on to make 28 appearances and even scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup fourth round clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Speaking about the experience he said: ‘When I was going through chemo, I never thought for one minute I would come back and play. And I never thought about scoring penalties at Old Trafford – nights like that seemed a million miles away.’

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Manchester City’s Club World Cup Woes: Sauna Sessions, Crosswords, and Rayan Cherki’s French Rap Lead to Al Hilal Disaster – What’s Next?

The beach yoga on Florida’s east coast wouldn’t have felt quite so…

Man United Make Historic Shirt Number Decision for 14-Year-Old Talent ‘Kid Messi’ Amid Interest from Top European Clubs

Manchester United have reportedly handed wonderkid JJ Gabriel a unique squad number. …

Behind the Scenes at Chelsea: The Historic Joao Pedro Deal, Levi Colwill’s Welcome Message, and the Enigma of Raheem Sterling

Chelsea’s acquisition of Joao Pedro will result in the Brazilian becoming Watford’s…

Kyle Walker bids an emotional farewell to Man City, expressing his gratitude despite feeling sidelined by the team. He departs to join Burnley in a surprising £5m move.

Kyle Walker has paid tribute to Manchester City after completing a £5m…

Club World Cup: Battling Extreme Heat with Sniffer Dogs in Crocs for Paw Protection

Last week, Chelsea and Flamengo clashed at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia…

Brighton Acquires Viral Belgian Left-Back After Champions League Success

Brighton have completed the signing of Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge.…

Lamine Yamal Joins Neymar for a Casual Game of Street Soccer During Brazil Visit

As Barcelona isn’t participating in the 2025 Club World Cup, their players…

‘Alisha Lehmann, Dubbed the ‘World’s Sexiest Footballer,’ Unveils Stylish New Look as Euro 2025 Begins’

Alisha Lehmann has sported a new bespectacaled look as she prepares for the…

Ellie Carpenter, Matildas Star, Faces WSL Competition From Her New Wife Weeks After Beautiful French Wedding

Matildas star Ellie Carpenter has signed for Chelsea on a four-year deal.…