‘Heartbroken’ Neil Warnock leads tributes to Sol Bamba as former team-mates pay their respects to the ex-Leeds and Cardiff star after his death aged 39… while Jeff Stelling and Laura Woods also post emotional messages

Sol Bamba’s former manager Neil Warnock and his former teammates have posted emotional tributes in honour of the late footballer following his tragic passing at the age of 39 on Saturday.

The Ivorian, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020, fell ill on Saturday and was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital, where he tragically passed away, Turkish club Adanaspor said in a statement on social media.

Bamba enjoyed a glittering football career until his retirement in 2022, playing for clubs including Cardiff, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Leicester, after having played for Paris Saint-Germain.

Warnock was Bamba’s manager during his three-year spell as manager of Cardiff between 2016 and 2019, before being promoted to the Welsh club in 2018. He later also coached the defender at Middlesbrough.

Warnock posted an emotional tribute on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “I can’t believe I’ll never see that beaming smile again. I’m so glad Sol was part of my life and we had such amazing memories together.

The former Cardiff, Leeds and Leicester star died in hospital on Saturday after falling ill

Warnock admitted he is ‘heartbroken’ for Bamba’s family and in disbelief over his death

“I am saddened by the loss of Chloe and the family and all my thoughts are with them. Sol was a ray of sunshine and I will miss him so much.”

Canadian international Junior Hoilett, who played with Bamba at Cardiff, led the tributes to his former teammate, saying: “RIP Big Bro. Love Always.”

Ipswich Town star Sam Morsy followed suit, having played with Bamba at Middlesbrough, posting: ‘Ahhh man big Sol… incredible human being, one of the best players I’ve ever shared a dressing room with, at the start of his managerial career.’

Then he wrote in Arabic: ‘We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.’

Another of Bamba’s old Cardiff team-mates, Neil Etheridge, said: ‘One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, off the pitch as well as on it. Always smiling, always so happy, always looking on the bright side of life.

“When I joined the club, before he knew me, Sol treated me like a brother. When we met, we became family. Rest in peace Sol.”

Bamba’s former clubs also paid tribute to the former defender, who played 46 international matches for Ivory Coast between 2008 and 2014, via social media.

Leeds wrote: ‘Everyone at #LUFC is shocked to hear of the passing of former #LUFC captain Sol Bamba.

Bamba and Warnock embrace warmly during their days together in Middlesbrough

Leeds United and Rotherham manager Steve Evans also posted emotional tributes to Bamba

Former teammate Junior Hoilett, pictured in 2019, called Bamba ‘Big Bro’ in his post

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace Sol, you will be in our hearts forever.”

Leicester also paid a heartfelt tribute: ‘We are all shocked by the news that our former defender, Sol Bamba, has passed away at the age of 39.

‘Sol, a popular figure during his short but memorable time at Leicester, made 55 appearances for the Foxes and scored four goals. Our thoughts are with Sol’s friends and family at this sad time.’

Rotherham, sharing manager Steve Evans’ words, wrote: ‘In light of the passing of my former captain and friend at Leeds United, Sol Bamba, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his immediate family and friends.

‘I spent many hours with him and he often spoke of his love for his wife Chloe and his children Roonea, Lily and Amy.

‘He was a great leader, a gentleman on the pitch and he was a warrior for me during my time as head coach at Leeds United. See you at the far post big man.. RIP.’

Cardiff wrote: ‘It is with deepest sadness that we learned tonight of 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 us all, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all those lucky enough to know and love Sol.’

Presenters Jeff Stelling and Laura Woods were also shocked by the news and issued emotional tributes to both their sides on social media. Stelling described him as one of the ‘nicest men I’ve ever met’.

“Just saw the devastating news about Sol Bamba,” Stelling wrote on X. “Simply one of the nicest men I have ever met.

Leicester and Cardiff also took to social media to pay tribute to the ‘immeasurable’ impact he had

Former Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling said Bamba ‘never had a smile far from his face’

Presenter Laura Woods shared her first interview experience with Bamba in 2018

“He was a huge supporter of my prostate cancer walks and never had a smile off his face. My heart goes out to the family and friends.”

Woods wrote: ‘Ohh goodness. Sol. I first interviewed Sol in 2018. He talked about his father-son relationship with Neil Warnock, how he waited for Neil to get the job at Cardiff so he could sign him, get promoted and eventually fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League, he said it was the best decision he ever made.

“I always found him to be such a wonderfully cheerful and kind man, a true gentleman. What a tragic loss to the world. My condolences to his loved ones. Rest in peace, Sol.”