Middlesbrough has announced the signing of Sol Bamba on a free transfer after leaving Cardiff City this summer.
The former Ivory Coast international signed a one-year contract with the Boros as a player-coach after he was given the all-clear from cancer.
The 36-year-old was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January and underwent successful chemotherapy.
Middlesbrough Sign Sol Bamba
Bamba Continues Career After Cancer Scare
Bamba spent five years with Cardiff City before he was released at the end of the 2020-21 season and has now been allowed to reunite with his former manager Neil Warnock.
Warnock is pleased with the signing of the centre-defender and believed his addition will add great value to his team as well as help the club’s U23 side in a great dimension.
“Initially Sol had asked if he could come and train with us, and I was more than happy. He’s a great lad to have around,” Warnock told the club website.
“When we were away in Cornwall he was at Rockliffe and helped with the U23s and U18s, and everyone was really impressed with him.
“I have to be honest, I didn’t expect him to look as sharp as he has done after everything he’s been through, but he’s done remarkably well.
“At the moment the priority for him is to concentrate on his fitness and being in the squad, but we want him to be involved with the U23s as well. I feel he’s just the type of person we need to be involved with that age group.
“He has bags of experience and he will be a real asset for us both on and off the pitch. I’m delighted to have him on board.”
Neil Warnock Brings in Experience
Bamba made more than 120 appearances for the Bluebirds before his departure and captained the club several times.
He played a significant role in their promotion to the Premier League in the 2017-2018 season and delivered consistent performances for the club in their campaign in the English top-flight before injury forced him to the sidelines.
The defender thus missed the remainder of the 2018-19 season and could only watch helplessly as his side was relegated to the Championship.
Middlesbrough started the 2021-22 season with a 1-1 draw against Fulham on August 8 and will hope Bamba quickly settles in at the club to make his impact.
He will link up with England-born Nigerian stars Marc Bola and Sammy Ameobi at Riverside Stadium.
Bamba has featured in several clubs during his career, including Paris Saint-Germain, Hibernian, Leicester City, Trabzonspor and Leeds United.
On the international stage, Bamba made 46 appearances for Ivory Coast and was part of the side that finished as runner-up at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
He was also part of the Elephant’s side at the 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments in South Africa and Brazil respectively.
The defender last played for Ivory Coast in 2014 and has now retired from international duty to focus on his club career.
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