Aaron Boupendza, a forward from Gabon with an international soccer career, died on Wednesday after falling from the 11th story of a building in China, where he was playing for Zheijang FC. He was 28.
Officials from Gabon announced the news of his death in a statement through the Fédération Gabonaise de Football, also known as FEGAFOOT. The federation offered its condolences to Boupendza’s family.
“At 28, Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon,” FEGAFOOT’s statement said, according to a translation from French.
Zheijang FC said in a statement on Instagram that Boupendza “passed away at his residence” and offered condolences to his family.
“At present, the club is fully cooperating with the relevant departments in the investigation,” the team said.
Boupendza has had 35 international appearances on Gabon’s national team, scoring a total of eight goals since 2016, according to a profile page for him on a website tracking national football team players.
But the 28-year-old also had a long career playing for teams all over the world. Boupendza also played for clubs in France, Turkey, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Boupendza left FC Cincinnati in 2024 and played briefly in Romania before eventually landing at Zheijang FC in China’s Super League.
He was transferred to FC Cincinnati from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab FC in 2023, according to his Major League Soccer biography. He scored 13 goals in 20 matches at the Saudi Arabian club.
