Gabon international footballer Aaron Boupendza has died at age 28 after a fatal fall from a high-rise building in China.
The striker, who had recently joined Chinese Super League club Zhejiang, reportedly fell from the 11th floor of a building and succumbed to his injuries, per BBC News.
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His death was confirmed by the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) on Wednesday (April 16).
“At 28, Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who left a lasting impression at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon (in 2022),” FEGAFOOT said in a public statement.
“Trained at CF Mounana and Bordeaux in France, the Gabonese striker joined the Chinese league after a brief spell in Romania.
“FEGAFOOT and the great family of Gabonese soccer offer his biological family their sincere condolences in this difficult time.”
Boupendza had recently transferred from Romanian side Rapid Bucharest to Zhejiang and was already making an impact. He had scored four goals and provided six assists in six matches for the Chinese club.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, including from Gabonese national team legends and international clubs.
Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who played alongside Boupendza for Gabon, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram with a photo of the pair embracing.
“I don't have the words,” he wrote in French. “Rest in peace my brother.”
Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina also paid tribute in a deeply emotional post, writing: “Rest in peace Aaron. So talented, joyful. Allah is great and knows your heart. My rage is immense today.
"These same people who called themselves brothers, friends or others and who advised you in this direction, I hope that they will at least ask forgiveness from your parents with sincerity because today we must all feel the guilt.
“May your soul pass in peace. May Allah soothe the heart of your family and those who truly wanted the best for you.”
Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema also shared his condolences, calling Boupendza a national asset.
“It is with great sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese soccer,” President Nguema said. “I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends. May God bless his soul.”
Boupendza's football journey spanned multiple countries and leagues. He began his career in France, turning out for Bordeaux, Pau, and Tours, before rising to prominence with Hatayspor in Turkey, where he played after their promotion to the Super Lig.
His talent then took him to Qatar, followed by the United States, where he played for FC Cincinnati in the 2023/24 MLS season.
His former club in the U.S. issued a statement following the news of his death: “We are saddened to hear of the tragic passing of former FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza earlier today at his home in China.
"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. Rest in Peace, Aaron.”
Since making his international debut in 2016, Boupendza had 35 caps for the Gabon national team, scoring eight goals. He featured in the Africa Cup of Nations most recently in 2023 and had become a core part of the squad over the years.