Football pays tribute to 'great man' Bamba

The shot world is paying tribute to Sol Bamba pursuing his daze passing, aged 39.

Former Cardiff City, Leeds United and Hibernian defender Bamba died aft needing infirmary curen pursuing an illness, Turkish nine Adanaspor, wherever Bamba was working, confirmed connected Saturday night.

The Ivory Coast world - who besides had stints pinch clubs including Leicester City, Middlesbrough and Dunfermline Athletic - enjoyed a stellar career, winning promotion pinch Cardiff during nan 2017-18 season.

Bamba's erstwhile teammates, clubs and fans person each been paying their respects aft proceeding nan crushing news.

Former Cardiff defender Lee Peltier wrote connected X: "Love you brother. Rest easy my large relative ever location for me, will ne'er forget."

Ex-Cardiff defender and head Mark Hudson said: "Never had nan chance to witnesser what a genuinely awesome man and leader you were.

"We person shared stories and I loved our chats nevertheless brief. My bosom goes retired to Sol’s family. I americium devastated for you."

Cyrus Christie said: "This news has shook maine to my core. Only nan different time we said arsenic you started your managerial career.

"Fly precocious brother, whitethorn your psyche remainder successful peace. One of nan nicest and astir humble guys to grace this game. Thoughts and prayers spell retired to your family."

Junior Hoilett, who won promotion pinch Cardiff alongside Bamba, said: "RIP Big Bro Love Always."

Andy Campbell, who played for some Cardiff and Boro, said: "Awful news, a genuinely gorgeous quality being."

Ipswich Town's Sam Morsy, who was pinch Bamba astatine Middlesbrough, commented: "Ahhh man large Sol .. unthinkable quality 1 of nan champion I’ve shared a dressing room pinch astatine nan commencement of his coaching career."

Writing successful Arabic, Morsy added: "We beryllium to Allah and to him we shall return."

Current Cardiff left-back Callum O'Dowda said: "Heartbroken. Despite everything you went through, you epitomised nan astir affirmative outlook connected life. A instruction I will clasp forever. My thoughts are pinch your family."

Bluebirds goalkeeper Jak Alnwick wrote: "Rest successful bid Sol, 1 of nan nicest guys I've ever travel crossed successful football."

And Neil Etheridge, a teammate of Bamba's astatine Cardiff, said: "One of nan nicest guys I person met disconnected nan section and connected it.

"Always smiling, ever truthful happy, ever seeing nan brighter broadside of life.

"When I joined nan club, earlier he knew me, Sol treated maine arsenic a brother. When we sewage to cognize each different we became family. Rest successful bid Sol."

Ex-Cardiff winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing wrote: "My feline ever looked retired for me. Love you brother."

Football clubs astir nan world person issued tributes pursuing nan news of Bamba's death.

Cardiff City, wherever Bamba made 118 appearances, lauded nan centre-back arsenic a "hero" and described his effect astatine nan nine arsenic "immeasurable".

Leeds United, wherever Bamba played betwixt 2015 and 2016, hailed him arsenic "one of nan nicest group successful football".

A Football Association of Wales connection read: "The FAW is devastated to perceive nan sad news of Sol Bamba’s passing.

"Sol obtained his coaching badges pinch nan FAW and was presently studying for his Uefa pro licence, wherever everyone he worked pinch admired his positivity and his emotion for nan game.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are pinch Sol’s family, friends and everyone that knew him during this difficult time."

And nan erstwhile footballer's wife, Chloe Bamba, took to societal media to rumor an affectional connection aft her husband's passing.

"For nan past fewer years I person watched Sol conflict his crab caput connected pinch an astounding intelligence and beingness spot and stoicism," she wrote.

"Unfortunately, it was ne'er a adjacent conflict and conscionable erstwhile things were looking up he took a downturn and yet succumbed connected 31st August.

"These years person been indescribably difficult but we still managed to find joyousness and laughter successful it. I’ve knowledgeable my worst days but besides immoderate of my best.

"Sol accepted his destiny arsenic God’s will and near this world knowing, without a protector of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly. I made judge of that.

"It was an honour to person loved and been loved by Sol. I learnt truthful overmuch from him. He is my hero. My bosom is breaking. What a gift, what a gift, what a gift to person been loved by him."