Former Cardiff and Leeds defender Sol Bamba has been confirmed dead at the age of 39.

The Ivorian player had been employed as technical director at Turkish club Adanaspor, who announced the news late on Saturday night.

A club statement read: “Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the match against Manisa Football Club yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there. Our condolences to his family and our community.”

Bamba’s football career was momentarily derailed in 2021 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma while playing for Cardiff. Nevertheless, following a successful course of chemotherapy, he was declared cancer-free and resumed his playing career with Cardiff City and Middlesbrough. Additionally, Bamba had spells with Leicester, Hibernian, and Dunfermline, and accumulated 46 international appearances for the Ivory Coast.

“Everyone at LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away,” Leeds said in a statement posted on X.

“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.”

Cardiff noted that Bamba was “a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman”.

Middlesbrough wrote: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Sol Bamba at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with Sol’s family and friends at this time. RIP Sol.”

The Football Association said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of Bamba’s death.