Cost £0: Neil Warnock's 2016 Cardiff City transfer was a stroke of genius - View | OneFootball

The signing of Sol Bamba in October 2016 turned out to be a masterstroke by Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock.

Warnock took over as the manager of the club in October 2016, following the sacking of Paul Trollope.

Trollope was a controversial appointment in the summer, having not managed in football for the past six years and working solely as a coach in this time.

Trollope's reign lasted just six weeks, and was abysmal. Despite big name signings like Rickie Lambert joining the club, they struggled in their opening matches, winning just two of their first 12 games.

He was sacked soon after that, and Warnock was brought in as his replacement to help steady the ship.

Sensing the squad needed some big changes, Warnock embarked on a number of free transfers that would help shape his promotion-winning squad. He brought in experienced players like Marouane Chamakh, Kieran Richardson and Junior Hoilett, the latter of whom would help fire City to the Premier League the following season.

However, it was the 31-year-old Ivorian defender who would prove to be one of the best signings the Bluebirds have ever made.

Sol Bamba immediately became a top Championship defender for Cardiff

As soon as Sol Bamba signed for Cardiff in October 2016, he became one of the most important players in the team.

The former Leeds captain had been without a club for the past month.

However, he slotted straight into the Cardiff starting 11 and never left.

Scoring the winning goal against Bristol City in his debut, he immediately endeared himself the Bluebird supporters, and his solid performances at the back made him a fan favourite immediately.

Cardiff finished 12th that season despite their poor start, with Bamba starting all 26 matches he was available for in the league.

The following season saw the club win promotion to the Premier League, with Bamba one of the standout performers. The Bluebirds conceded just 39 times in the league, which was the joint least alongside Champions Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Not only did he form a terrific partnership with Sean Morrison in defence, but Bamba contributed four goals as the club finished second in the league.

According to FotMob, Bamba was one of the best defenders that season. His tackles won, duels won and interceptions put him among the top defenders in the division.

His impressive performances earned him a spot in the Championship Team of the Season, the only Bluebirds player to be included despite them winning promotion to the Premier League.

Bamba was one of the club's top players in the Premier League before injury struck

The Bluebirds came close to avoiding relegation after being promoted, and the performances of Sol Bamba were a key part of that.

The Ivory Coast defender was a leader at the back, with his experience vital to the big matches that came thick and fast in the Premier League.

He started all-but-one match until injury struck him in March.

The Bluebirds were firmly in the fight against relegation, having been near the bottom of the table. They were in 18th position when Bamba was struck down with injury, and remained there without him, being relegated following a 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

Without Bamba, the Bluebirds won just twice before being relegation was confirmed.

He remained with Cardiff for two more seasons, but only played 12 more league matches. He eventually left for Middlesbrough at the end of the 2021 season, after struggling with his fitness for nearly two and a half season.

Despite the sad ending to his career in Cardiff, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value for money signing than Bamba.

Warnock brought him in on a free transfer, and his skills and leadership took the Bluebirds to the Premier League and gave fans some of the most exciting times in the club's history.