Gabonese soccer player Aaron Boupendza passed away on Wednesday after he fell from a balcony of his apartment building in China. The deceased 28-year-old was a forward for the Chinese soccer team, Zhejiang FC.
He died following a fall from the 11th floor of the building, authorities said. Officials received reports that someone had fallen from a building at 1:14 p.m. local time on Wednesday, CNN reported.
The Hangzhou Public Security Bureau said in a statement posted on its official Weibo page that it “quickly organized police forces to deal with the situation, and immediately sent the injured to the hospital for treatment. The injured was later declared dead in the hospital.”
“After on-site investigation, visits and interviews of relevant parties by public security officers, and checking surveillance videos, it was found that he died after falling from the balcony of his rental residence, and a criminal case was ruled out,” officials said.
Zhejiang FC said in a statement that it was “fully cooperating with the relevant departments to carry out the investigation.”
Boupendza was part of the Gabon national team that played at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon, BBC reported. He also earned 35 call-ups from his home nation.
Prior to signing for Zhejiang FC, Boupendza played for Rapid Bucharest, which is based in Romania. The 28-year-old kickstarted his professional career back home in Gabon after signing for CF Mounana.
He then went ahead to play for soccer teams in France, Portugal, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States. During his time in the U.S., Boupendza played for FC Cincinnati and helped the MLS side win the 2023 Supporters’ Shield.
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“Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the [Afcon] in Cameroon,” Gabon’s football federation (Fegafoot) said in a statement. “Fegafoot and the Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his family.”
Gabon’s president-elect Gen Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema also eulogized Boupendza, saying that he was “a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football.”
FC Cincinnati in a statement also said the soccer franchise was “saddened to hear of the tragic passing” of Boupendza. “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,” the statement added.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Aaron Boupendza, who once wore the Hatayspor jersey in the Turkish Süper Lig,” Turkish soccer club Fenerbahçe said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, as well as to Zhejiang FC and all who loved him.”
