Aaron Boupendza

Hatayspor In August 2020, after being released by Bordeaux, Boupendza signed a two-year deal at Hatayspor, newly promoted to the Turkish Süper Lig. He was the top scorer in his first season with 22 goals in 36 games as the team from Antakya came sixth; teammate Mame Biram Diouf was second with 19 goals. He scored four times on 29 December in a 6–0 win at Antalyaspor, and twice on 10 January 2021 in a 2–2 draw with eventual winners Beşiktaş J.K. at the .

Arabian Peninsula In August 2021, Boupendza joined Qatar Stars League club Al-Arabi SC for €4.5 million. On 8 May 2022, he scored after three minutes in a 3–2 win over Lusail SC to lift the Qatar FA Cup.

Boupendza signed a three-year deal at Al Shabab FC of the Saudi Pro League in August 2022. He scored 11 goals in 17 games in his one league season in Riyadh, including four on 31 May as the campaign concluded with a 4–1 win at Damac FC.

FC Cincinnati In June 2023, Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati announced they had signed Boupendza from Al-Shabab on a transfer, with the striker signing a Designated Player deal through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027. He arrived after the club had sold leading striker Brenner to Udinese Calcio. His five regular-season goals helped the team win the Eastern Conference, including the season-clinching goal to capture the Supporters' Shield. On 4 November, he equalised in a 1–1 draw away to the New York Red Bulls before netting in a penalty shootout win in the first round of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Boupendza's contract was terminated early by Major League Soccer on 8 August 2024, for not fulfilling contractual obligations. He had been involved in several incidents during his time at the club, including being suspended for returning late from international play in October 2023, being the victim of a sex tape blackmail in January 2024, and having his jaw broken by a professional boxer in a fight in April 2024.

Rapid București and Zhejiang FC In September 2024, Boupendza signed a two-year contract for Liga I club Rapid București.

Alleging that he was owed performance-based bonuses, Boupendza did not return to Romania after a training camp in Dubai in January 2025. He moved to China to pursue offers from two clubs, while saying that he would not return to Romania; Rapid suspended him indefinitely for this decision. By the end of the month, he had signed for Zhejiang FC for a fee of €800,000; Gazeta Sporturilor noted that this was a profit as he had arrived for free, but his salary had been €50,000 per month.

International career Boupendza was first called up for Gabon in January 2016 for the African Nations Championship. He made his debut on 10 January in a 1–1 friendly draw away to Uganda, and scored his first goal as consolation in a 2–1 loss to hosts Rwanda in the group stage.

Boupendza was called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where he scored the only goal of the opening group win against the Comoros, who were making their tournament debut. In the last 16 against Burkina Faso, he netted his attempt in a penalty shootout defeat.

In November 2023, the Gabonese Football Federation suspended Boupendza and Didier Ndong for arriving late to the country ahead of a game against Kenya.

Death Boupendza died on 16 April 2025, after falling from the 11th floor of a building in Hangzhou, China. He was 28. Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema paid tribute to him shortly after his death. Chinese police investigations concluded that the fall was accidental, ruling out criminal activity.

Hours after Boupendza's death, his club Zheijiang played a home game against Meizhou Hakka, a decision widely condemned on Chinese social media platforms. None of the club's other foreigners played in the game, and after the 2–2 draw, captain Cheng Jin and manager Raúl Caneda cut short their interviews due to grief.

Career statistics Club

International + Appearances and goals by national team and year

Honours CF Mounana Gabon Championnat National D1: 2015–16 Süper Lig Team of the Season: 2020–21