Controversial ex-MLS star Aaron Boupendza dies at 28 after horror fall from balcony in China
Former FC Cincinnati striker Aaron Boupendza has died at the age of 28 after falling from a balcony in China.
According to Turkiye Today, Boupendza – who was playing for Chinese soccer club Zhejiang at the time of his death – fell from his 11th-floor residence at an apartment in the country.
The Gabon international, who played for a host of teams across the globe before his passing, scored a total of 96 goals in 218 career appearances.
He also proved a controversial figure off the field, with reports surfacing last year of a potential jail sentence back in his home country after a sex tape allegedly involving him surfaced online.
Under Gabonese law, which prohibits the circulation of pornographic content, he faced a maximum fine of 10million Central African Francs ($17,000) and up to five years in prison if found guilty.
It later emerged that Boupendza claimed he was the victim of a blackmail plot after his phone was stolen in Gabon in November 2023.
Former FC Cincinnati striker Aaron Boupendza has died at 28 after falling from a balcony
Shortly after, his time with FC Cincinnati came to an abrupt end in August of last year when he missed several weeks of practice, forcing the club to terminate his contract.
Just months earlier he was also unable to train for a number of weeks after breaking his jaw during an altercation outside a bar in the city.
It was later revealed that the soccer star was punched by professional boxer Quashawn Toler outside Cincinnati establishment Rusconi Bar & Kitchen, with the injury keeping him out of action for nearly two months.
In 35 appearances, Boupendza scored nine goals for FC Cincinnati and helped the team win the Supporters’ Shield in 2023.
The MLS outfit has confirmed his passing while paying tribute to their former player in a statement.
‘We are saddened to hear of the tragic passing of former FC Cincinnati forward Aaron Boupendza earlier today at his home in China,’ the statement reads.
‘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.’
Boupendza scored nine goals for FC Cincinnati before the club was forced to terminate his deal
The Gabon international earned 35 caps for his country and represented them at AFCON
Boupendza started his career with Gabonese club CF Mounana, before moving to French team Bordeaux in 2016.
The majority of his four-year spell with Bordeaux was spent out on loan with lower-league sides in France and second-tier Portuguese club Feirens, before he headed to Turkey to play for Hatayspor.
After spells in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, America and Romania, he then signed for Zhejiang earlier this year.
Boupendza also earned 35 caps for Gabon, scoring eight goals and representing his country in the Africa Cup of Nations.
