Former Major League Soccer star Aaron Boupendza has died aged 28, after falling from the 11th floor of an apartment building.
Turkiye Today report Boupendza was in China, where he played for Chinese Super League FC side Zhejiang FC, when he fell from the 11th floor of his apartment building and died. Authorities are treating the case as suspicious.
The report states that Boupendza, who won 35 caps for the Gabon national team, was with his brother when the incident occurred and that investigators are examining whether an altercation took place. Boupendza’s brother is expected to be questioned or taken into custody.
Aaron Boupendza during his playing days at FC Cincinnati (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Chinese authorities have not ruled out any circumstances that resulted in the fall.
The President of Gabon, Brice Coltaire Oligui Nguema took to social media to mourn the death of Boupendza.
He said: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic passing of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honor to Gabonese football. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. May God bless his soul.”
Boupendza enjoyed a two-season spell in MLS with FC Cincinnati that ended in 2024, and played for a host of other clubs during his 10-year professional career, including CF Mounana, Bordeaux, Ajaccio, Hatayspor and Al-Shabab.
Turkish outfit Hatayspor are among the clubs to have paid tribute to Boupendza, writing on X: “We have learned with deep sadness the passing of Aaron Boupendza, who played for Hatayspor and was the top scorer in the 2020/21 season. First of all, to his family and loved ones. We offer our condolences and patience to his team and our community. Rest in peace king.”
