Ex-Cardiff boss Warnock 'heartbroken' over Bamba passing

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Neil Warnock has paid an emotional tribute to Sol Bamba following the 39-year-old's passing.

Warnock was a long-time admirer of the Ivory Coast international and made him his first signing as Cardiff City boss in October 2016.

Bamba was a pivotal figure under the Yorkshireman as Cardiff staved off relegation in his first season in south Wales before gaining promotion into the Premier League in 2017-18 - with Bamba featuring in all 46 of the Bluebirds' Championship matches that season.

Paying tribute to Bamba on X, Warnock - who also worked with the centre-back at Middlesbrough - wrote: "I can鈥檛 believe I won鈥檛 see that beaming smile again.

"I鈥檓 so happy that Sol was part of my life and we had such brilliant memories together.

"I鈥檓 heartbroken for Chloe and the family and all my thoughts are with them.

"Sol was a ray of sunshine and I鈥檒l miss him so much."