Aaron Salem Boupendza Pozzi was born on 7 August 1996 in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. Boupendza began his football career with CF Mounana, one of his country’s leading clubs, and quickly attracted the attention of Europe clubs due to his exceptional talent at a young age. In Short, he transferred to France, where he joined the youth academy of Girondins de Bordeaux and took his first step toward a professional career.

Aaron Boupendza’s career continued with stints at numerous clubs across different leagues. After Bordeaux in France, he played on loan for several teams. However, his breakthrough came in Türkiye.

In the 2020–2021 season, Boupendza signed with Hatayspor, a team in the Türkiye Süper Lig. His performances during that season made him not only Hatayspor’s standout player but also one of the most remarkable footballers in the entire league. He finished the season as top scorer with 22 goals, securing his name in Turkish football history with important distinction.

Following his success at Hatayspor, Boupendza continued his career in Qatar. He then transferred to Romania’s Rapid Bükreş, where he wore the jersey for a brief duration. At the beginning of 2025, he agreed terms with Zhejiang FC, a club in the Chinese Super League, and moved to Asia. In China, he managed to play only a few moon.

^{Aaron Boupendza} (BBC)

Aaron Boupendza also represented the Gabon national football team in various competitions. He became particularly known for his performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, successfully representing his country on the international stage.

Boupendza died at the age of 28 on 16 April 2025 after falling from the 11th floor of an apartment building in Zhejiang province, China. Following the incident, Chinese authorities launched an investigation focusing on three possibilities:

• suicide,
• accidental fall,
• being pushed during an argument with his brother at home (murder).

It was reported that shortly before his death, Boupendza had attended training without permission and that his club had been unable to reach him. During the investigation, his brother’s statement was obtained and event was deemed a “suspicious death”.

Boupendza’s death caused widespread grief both in Gabon and among the clubs he played for.

• Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema, in a statement, described Boupendza as “a talented striker who brought honor to Gabonese football”.
• Hatayspor Club, in a message posted on its social media account, paid tribute to him with the words “Rest in peace, king”.
• Gabon Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) announced in a statement that Boupendza had died in an apartment accident in China and expressed that the Gabonese football family was in deep mourning.