Sol Bamba's wife has paid tribute to her husband and has recalled the 'astounding mental and physical strength' he showed in his 'unfair fight' with cancer. 

The former Cardiff City, Leeds, Leicester and Ivory Coast defender tragically died on Saturday aged just 39.

Turkish side Adanaspor broke the news in a statement released on X which read:  'Our Technical Director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the Manisa Football Club match played 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.'

And now the ex-footballer's wife has released a heartbreaking statement detailing his battle with cancer.

She wrote on Instagram: '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.'

The post was accompanied by a picture of Bamba on holiday and another of the couple together.

The footballer 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.

However Turkish outlet hurriyet reported that he 'fell ill before the Manisa FK match due to a relapse of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.'

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

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.

Bamba first met wife Chloe when he was playing for Leicester in 2011 and the couple soon married.

They have three children called Roonea, Lily and Amy. 

The football coach posted a touching message celebrating Chloe's birthday earlier this year, saying: 'Happy birthday my love. Last couple years haven't be easy but having you by my side made it so much easier I love you.'

'Enjoy your day, you deserve it.'

Many of Bamba's former clubs have already released tributes to the French-born centre-back.

Cardiff City who he spent the majority of his playing career with released a heartfelt statement on X which 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.'

Leeds 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.

Middlesbrough also paid tribute to their former player on X writing: '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.' 'Our thoughts are with Sol's family and friends at this time. RIP Sol.'

Whilst fellow Turkish side Galatasaray side paid their respects by posting a tribute which read:'We have learned with sorrow that Adanaspor Technical Director Sol Bamba has passed away.

'We offer our condolences to Sol Bamba's family, loved ones and the Adanaspor community.'

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 earlier this week.

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.

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.

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.'