Former FC Cincinnati player Aaron Boupendza has died at the age of 28 after reportedly falling from his 11th-floor residence in China.
The Gabonese striker was living in China and playing for Chinese Super League club Zhejiang FC.
“We are saddened to hear of the tragic passing of former FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza earlier today at his home in China,” FC Cincinnati said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and teammates. He was a loved member of the FC Cincinnati family, and we offer our condolences to all who knew him.”
FEGAFOOT, the Gabonese football federation, said in its statement that Boupendza had fallen from the 11th floor of his building in China.
“Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon,” wrote FEGAFOOT. “The Gabonese football community offers their sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
Boupendza joined Cincinnati in the summer of 2023 as a designated player, initially signed to a four-year contract. He spent only a single season in Cincinnati, scoring seven goals in 24 appearances. His time at the club was not without controversy — in 2024, Boupendza suffered a broken jaw in a barfight with a professional boxer. Boupendza’s contract was terminated several months later, after he missed several weeks of training.
Boupendza’s club career was long and varied, with stops at 12 clubs in under a decade, having played in France, Portugal, Romania, the United States, Turkey, China, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Internationally, Boupendza featured for Gabon 35 times, scoring eight goals.
Gabonese President-elect Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema paid tribute to Boupendza in a post on X on Wednesday morning.
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic passing of Aaron Boupendza, a talented center forward who brought honor to Gabonese football,” wrote Nguema. “I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. May God bless his soul.”
(Katie Stratman-Imagn Images)
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