Sol Bamba's heartbroken wife leads tributes after former Cardiff and Leeds star dies aged 39
Sol Bamba's heartbroken wife has paid tribute to the former Cardiff and Leeds star after his death at the age of 39
PA
Sol Bamba's heartbroken wife, Chloe, has paid tribute to her late husband after his sudden death on Saturday.
The centre-back, who previously overcame cancer in 2021, died at the age of 39.
The former Ivory Coast international reportedly fell in on Friday while working in Turkey with Adanaspor.
He then passed away hours later, with reports in Turkey saying he 'fell ill before the match with Manisa FK due to a relapse of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma'.
Sol Bamba's heartbroken wife has paid tribute to the former Cardiff and Leeds star after his death at the age of 39
PA
His wife, Chloe, has said her 'heart is breaking' after his sudden death.
She paid tribute to her husband and said it had been a 'gift' to be loved by him, while also saying it was an 'honour' to be his wife.
Writing on Instagram, she said: “For the last few years I have watched Sol fight his cancer head on with an astounding mental and physical strength and stoicism.
"Unfortunately, it was never a fair fight and just when things were looking up he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August.
“These years have been indescribably difficult but we still managed to find joy and laughter in it.
"I’ve experienced my worst days but also some of my best.
"Sol accepted his fate as God’s will and left this earth knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly. I made sure of that.
“It was an honour to have loved and been loved by Sol. I learnt so much from him. He is my hero.
"My heart is breaking. What a gift, what a gift, what a gift to have been loved by him.”
Bamba turned out for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Dunfermline Athletic, Hibernian, Leicester City, Trabzonspor, Palermo, Leeds United, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough before retiring from football in 2022.
Bamba also made 46 appearances for the Ivory Coast, scoring once.
Tributes from his former clubs have flooded in after his death.
Leeds said: "Leeds United are devastated to learn of the passing of former captain Sol Bamba at the age of 39.
"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 forever be in our hearts."
Sol Bamba was a brilliant character in football with the community in mourning after his death at the age of 39
PA
And Cardiff's statement read: "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."
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