Apr 16, 2025, 10:05 AM ET
Gabon and previous FC Cincinnati ahead Aaron Boupendza died following a fall from the eleventh flooring of a construction in China, the Gabonese Soccer Federation (FEGAFOOT) mentioned Wednesday. He used to be 28.
A federation commentary, posted on social community X, did not say when the incident happened or supply main points.
Boupendza were enjoying for Zhejiang FC within the Chinese language Tremendous League this yr. Zhejiang issued a commentary pronouncing Boupendza died at his place of dwelling.
“Now the membership is absolutely cooperating with the related departments to hold out the investigation,” the commentary added.
Boupendza joined Main League Football’s FC Cincinnati as a chosen participant in summer season 2023 for a reported $7 million switch price. He made a direct have an effect on, scoring 5 targets in 10 video games to assist the membership win the MLS Supporters’ Protect because the workforce with the most productive regular-season report.
However his contract used to be terminated early in August 2024.
Aaron Boupendza were enjoying for Zhejiang FC within the Chinese language Tremendous League. Guo Tianqi/China Information Provider/VCG by the use of Getty Pictures
“We’re saddened to listen to of the tragic passing of former FC Cincinnati ahead Aaron Boupendza previous nowadays at his house in China,” FC Cincinnati mentioned in a commentary. “Our hearts pass out to his circle of relatives, pals, and family members. He used to be a beloved member of the FC Cincinnati circle of relatives, and we provide our condolences to all who knew him.
“Relaxation in Peace, Aaron.”
MLS added in a commentary: “Main League Football is saddened by means of the passing of former FC Cincinnati ahead Aaron Boupendza. We lengthen our inner most condolences to his circle of relatives, pals, and all who knew and beloved him.”
The Gabon federation mentioned Boupendza could be “remembered as a really perfect striker who made his mark right through the African Cup of Countries in Cameroon” in 2022. He scored one objective in that event, the winner in opposition to Comoros, and 8 in general for his nation.
“[The Gabonese Football Federation] and the broader Gabonese soccer circle of relatives be offering their honest condolences to his organic circle of relatives right through this hard time,” the federation mentioned.
Bordeaux, the French workforce the place Boupendza performed early in his profession, posted on X that he died “tragically.”
“All our ideas pass out to his circle of relatives, his family members and all of the soccer circle of relatives,” Bordeaux mentioned.
After enjoying within the decrease tiers of French football with Bordeaux’s reserve aspect then Pau, Gazélec Ajaccio and Excursions, Boupendza’s leap forward season got here with Hatayspor within the Turkish best flight when he scored 22 targets within the 2020-21 season. Hatayspor additionally expressed its condolences in a publish on X.
The next season, he moved to Qatari membership Al-Arabi then to Riyadh-based Al Shabab within the Saudi Professional League. His profession then took him to MLS with Cincinnati and to Speedy Bucharest, ahead of becoming a member of Zhejiang. He had scored 4 league targets in six video games.
“It’s with nice disappointment that I realized of the tragic passing of Aaron Boupendza, a skilled heart ahead who introduced honor to Gabonese soccer,” Gabon President Brice Oligui Nguema posted on X in French.
“I be offering my honest condolences to his circle of relatives and family members. Might God bless his soul.”
Knowledge from The Related Press and Reuters contributed to this record.
