Aaron Boupendza has died at the age of 28. © AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

African international dies at 28

Gabonese national football player Aaron Boupendza has died in China at the age of 28, according to Zhejiang FC.

16 April 2025

From: dpa/det

According to his Chinese club, the professional died in his home. The club did not provide further details, but emphasized that it is working with the relevant authorities to investigate. The Gabonese Football Federation stated that Boupendza "fell from the eleventh floor of his home in China."

His Gabonese national team colleague Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expressed his grief on Instagram. "I have no words. Rest in peace, my brother," the former Bundesliga striker wrote.

A Chinese fan mourns Boupendza. © APA/afp / -

Boupendza has been playing for Chinese first division club Zhejiang FC since the beginning of this year. During his career, the footballer from the Central African coastal state has played in France, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Romania, and the USA, among other places.

In the 2020/2021 season, he became the top scorer in the Turkish Süper Lig for Hatayspor, scoring 38 goals in 22 matches. Gabon's president, Brice Oligui Nguema, announced on social media that he learned of Boupendza's death with "great sadness."