Gabonese national team striker Aaron Boupendza, who played in the Chinese professional soccer league, has died.
On Wednesday, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) announced that Boupendza, 28, fell from the 11th floor of his residential building in China.
The federation stated that Boupendza will be remembered as a great striker who cemented his place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon. It added that the organization and the Gabonese soccer community extend their deepest condolences to his family.
Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Boupendza’s death. His club, Zhejiang FC, based in Hangzhou, China, stated that they fully cooperate with the relevant authorities in their ongoing investigation.
Born in 1996, Boupendza began his professional career with his hometown club CF Mounana before playing for teams across France, Portugal, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. During the 2020-2021 season with Turkey’s Hatayspor, he claimed the Super Lig scoring title, netting 22 goals in 36 matches.
After departing FC Cincinnati in the U.S. last year, Boupendza had a brief stint with Rapid Bucharest in Romania before joining Zhejiang FC earlier this year. He had been a key player for the Gabon national team since 2016, earning 35 caps and scoring 8 goals for his country.
