The centre-back looks set to join a Championship rival having left Leeds earlier this season.
As Sol Bamba reportedly closes in on a move to Cardiff City (via Yorkshire Evening Post), here is a look at some of the defining images from his time with Leeds United.
As the Whites looked for more depth at centre-back during the 2014-15 season, Neil Redfearn brought the Ivorian in on loan during the January transfer window.
After making his debut in a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town, the defender made his home debut against Brentford. Unfortunately, the game would signal Bamba’s first defeat with his new club as the Bees left Elland Road with a 1-0 win.
Sol Bamba of Leeds United with Jake Bidwell of Brentford
Despite only playing two games beforehand, his leadership qualities saw him handed the captain’s armband in Liam Cooper’s absence for the trip to Reading. He would begin his time as skipper with three consecutive wins and three clean sheets, including one against Millwall in February.
Sol Bamba of Leeds United (L) and Diego Fabbrini of Millwall in action
His first goal for the Whites came in their 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. After Sam Byram had opened the scoring, Bamba doubled Leeds’ lead three minutes after the break.
Sol Bamba scores the second goal for Leeds against Fulham
The win against the Cottagers was a highpoint as the season ended in an unspectacular fashion for United. A 3-0 defeat at home to Blackburn saw the side go on a run of five consecutive defeats, during which time, they would concede 13 goals.
Leeds United’s Sol Bamba appeals to the referee Gary Sutton after he shows a Red Card to Leeds United’s Rodolph Austin (R)
After signing permanently and being appointed the side’s full-time captain that summer, Bamba helped Leeds make a solid start to the new season. But the wheels would begin to come off as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, with Bamba making a comical mistake in the build-up to the third goal.
David Nugent celebrates scoring the first goal for Middlesbrough with Adam Clayton against Leeds
After Steve Evans’ appointment initially did little to change things after Uwe Rosler’s brief tenure, things began to slowly improve as the Whites showed much more spirit. A 2-2 draw with promotion-chasing Derby County was one of the more exciting games Leeds played out that term, and it also saw Bamba get on the scoresheet.
Leeds United’s Sol Bamba celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Derby
Once again however, an upturn in form came too late as Evans’ men fell well short of the play-offs. While Bamba’s form had been disappointing for much of the campaign, he earned a lot of respect amongst the Leeds fans when he spoke publicly about the problems within the club (via Yorkshire Post), which mainly focused on the squad not knowing who the head coach would be going into the 2016-17 season.
Former Leeds United manager Steve Evans
After making four appearances under new boss Garry Monk during this campaign, Bamba’s time at Leeds was brought to an end as he was released following the closure of the transfer window. Both of his Championship appearances saw the Peacocks taste defeat, including the 3-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers on the opening day.
QPR strolled to a 3-0 win on the opening day
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