Leeds sign central defender Sol Bamba on two-year contract
Friday 26 June 2015 12:46, UK
Leeds have completed the signing of Sol Bamba on a permanent deal from Italian side Palermo.
The former Hibernian and Leicester central defender, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Elland Road, has agreed a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
Bamba, 30, who began his professional career at Paris St-Germain in 2004, has been capped 44 times by the Ivory Coast.
In a statement on the club's website, Leeds said: "We are delighted to confirm that defender Sol Bamba has returned to the club on a permanent basis after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Italian side Palermo.
"Bamba, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Elland Road, has penned a two-year deal with the option of a third as Uwe Rosler's squad continues to take shape for the new campaign.
"The 30-year-old becomes United's third summer signing following the recent arrivals of goalkeeper Charlie Horton from Cardiff City and striker Lee Erwin from Motherwell.
"Bamba made a big impression during his 19 appearances while on loan in 2014/15, with the Ivory Coast international becoming a regular fixture in defence and captaining the side on several occasions.
"Following the end of his initial loan stint at Leeds, the defender made it abundantly clear that he was hoping to stay permanently and has now signed on the dotted line to end weeks of speculation."
