Who Is Gift Orban?
Gift Orban, full name Gift Emmanuel Orban, is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker. He was born on 17 July 2002 in Benue State, Nigeria, and is of Togolese descent through his mother. As of the 2026 season, he plays on loan for Turkish Süper Lig club Amedspor, on loan from German Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim.
How Did Gift Orban Start His Career?
Gift Orban began his football career at the youth level in Nigeria with Bison FC. In November 2021, he was scouted by Stabæk officials Torgeir Bjarmann and Thomas Finstad during a showcase tournament in Nigeria. He signed permanently for the Norwegian club Stabæk in May 2022.
How Did Gift Orban Perform in Norway?
At Stabæk, Gift Orban scored 16 goals in 22 league appearances during the 2022 season. He was named the Norwegian First Division’s top scorer and Young Player of the Year, and he helped the club secure promotion to the Eliteserien.
What Did Gift Orban Achieve at Gent?
Gift Orban joined Belgian Pro League club Gent on 31 January 2023 for a reported fee of €4.6 million. Across two seasons at Gent, he scored 18 goals in 33 league appearances. He recorded a hat-trick against Istanbul Başakşehir in the UEFA Europa Conference League, a match in which he was credited with the fastest hat-trick recorded in European competition, completed in 205 seconds.
Why Did Gift Orban Struggle at Lyon?
Gift Orban transferred to French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon on 18 January 2024 for approximately €14 million. He scored five goals in 21 appearances for the club. His playing time was limited by competition from established forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze. Reports also emerged of friction between Orban and his new teammates shortly after his arrival, a claim that Lacazette publicly downplayed in a press conference, describing Orban as someone who often speaks ironically.
What Was Gift Orban’s Record at Hoffenheim?
Gift Orban moved to Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim on 2 January 2025 for a fee of around €9 million. He scored four goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances, following a strong opening spell with a decline in form after February 2025.
How Did Gift Orban Perform on Loan at Hellas Verona?
Hoffenheim loaned Gift Orban to Serie A club Hellas Verona for the 2025-26 season on 28 August 2025, in a deal that included a €500,000 loan fee and an option to buy set at around €8-9 million. He scored seven goals in the first half of the season but managed only one goal after the turn of the calendar year. Verona was relegated from Serie A that season, and the buy option was not exercised. Orban returned to Hoffenheim on 30 June 2026.
Where Does Gift Orban Play Now?
Following his return to Hoffenheim, Gift Orban was loaned to newly promoted Turkish Süper Lig club Amedspor in 2026. The deal includes a €1 million loan fee for Hoffenheim and a mandatory purchase option of around €4 million, triggered if Amedspor avoids relegation.