'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIF/8QAIRAAAQMDBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEQAEBQYHEiFBUaP/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBP/EABkRAAMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQRIf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AnH7XW7ukcgi6SG8kChTbiXZEzxHIR7knuO/JFZCdplhI5FgmOyLpYn50pUFZdpIa9Knw/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Aaron Boupendza, the former Major League Soccer forward, fell to his death from the 11th floor of a building in China on Wednesday, the Gabonese soccer federation announced.
The Gabon native, 28, joined the U.S. club, FC Cincinnati, in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of $7 million, USA Today has reported. During his time with the club, he scored 7 goals across 24 games before his contract got terminated in August 2024.
Post FC Cincinnati, Boupendza joined Rapid București in Bucharest, Romania, for one season before he shifting to Zhejiang FC in China this year. During his time with the Chinese club, he scored four goals across six matches, the outlet states.
"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 loved ones. He was a loved member of the FC Cincinnati family, and we offer our condolences to all who knew him."
Aaron Boupendza's life and legacy explored as tributes come pouring in
According to NBC News, officials in Gabon confirmed his demise in a statement issued via the Fédération Gabonaise de Football, aka FEGAFOOT. The federation also offered its condolences to Boupendza's family.
"At 28, Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon," the statement said after being translated from French.
In a statement on Instagram, Zheijang FC said:
"It is with great sadness that we release this announcement: Aaron Boupendza unfortunately passed away today at his residence. At present, the club is fully cooperating with the relevant departments in the investigation. All the staff of the club express their deepest condolences to his family!"
Aaron Boupendza boasted an expansive career as he played for teams across the globe, including France, Turkey, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, the United States and Saudi Arabia. During his time with Al-Shabab FC of the Saudi Pro League, which came to an end with his transfer to FC Cincinnati in 2023, he scored 13 goals in 20 matches.
Boupendza was initially slated to continue playing for FC Cincinnati through 2025, and talks for the following two years were in motion, but they abruptly sacked him in August. At the time, they gave no reason for doing so, though according to WLWT, the sportsman's time with the team was reportedly tainted with issues off the field.
He also missed out on several weeks of practice to recuperate from a broken jaw sustained during a bar fight at 2 a.m. in April 2024, WLWT reported at the time.
Trending
According to USA Today, Gabon president Brice Oligui Nguema has personally contacted Aaron Boupendza's family to express condolences for the loss of a talented sportsman.
Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!
Reply
