Sol Bamba’s wife, Chloe, has released a heart-wrenching statement addressing the death of her husband at 39.
Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 and having declared he was cancer-free mere months later, Premier League star Sol’s health unfortunately deteriorated while he was working for Turkish outfit Adanaspor, leading to his untimely passing on Saturday (August 31).
Chloe bravely opened up on Instagram about the couple’s tough battle: “For the last few years I have watched Sol fight his cancer head on with an astounding mental and physical strength and stoicism,” she penned.
“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.”
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(Image: @ch1ojo/Instagram)
Going on, she reflected on their time together: “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.”
She continued to express her profound admiration and love for him: “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 football world remembers Bamba, who was born to Ivorian parents in France and who carved his first significant path into football through the youth system at Paris Saint-Germain.
(Image: Getty Images)
His journey led him to Scottish sides Dunfermline and Hibernian before securing a position at Leicester City in 2011.
Aside from stints with Turkish team Trabzonspor and Italy’s Palermo, Bamba stuck mainly to the English leagues, turning out for Leeds, Cardiff and Boro.
A trusted regular for gaffer Neil Warnock, the stalwart defender was in the thick of it during Cardiffs Premier League antics in the 2018/19 season.
With 46 caps for Ivory Coast, Bamba was working as the sporting director at Adanaspor when he sadly passed away.
(Image: @ch1ojo/Instagram)
Telly legend and former Sky Sports host Jeff Stelling was left gutted by the news, penning a heartfelt tribute on X.
“One of the nicest men I have ever met,” scribbled Stelling. “He was a big supporter of my prostate cancer walks and never had a smile far from his face. My heart goes out to family and friends.”
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