NIGERIAN striker Gift Orban has switched from Bundesliga in Germany to Serie A in Italy, joining Hellas Verona on loan from Hoffenheim.
The Italian top flight club confirmed the move today, noting that the deal comes with a buy option.
“Hellas Verona FC announces the acquisition of striker Gift Orban from TSG Hoffenheim on loan with an option to buy,” the club stated.
“Born in Benue, Nigeria, on 17 July 2002, Orban is a striker who grew up playing for Bison FC, a club in his home country.
“In 2022, he moved to Stabæk , a club that plays in the Norwegian second division, and made his league debut on 26 May of the same year. In his first season, he scored 16 goals and provided seven assists, which contributed to Stabæk’s promotion to the Superligaen.
“He also won the OBOS-ligaen top scorer title and was named best young player of the season.
“In January 2023, he was signed by Gent , with whom he made his Pro League debut on 11 February, scoring a brace in a 3-3 draw against Westerlo.
“Shortly afterwards, he scored his first goal in a European competition, in the second leg of the Conference League play-offs against Qarabag.”
Orban exploded in that 2022/2023 season, breaking two records: with seven goals in five games, he became the debutant with the most goals in the Pro League. He also scored the fastest hat-trick in the history of UEFA competitions, with three goals in under four minutes against Istanbul Başakşehir.
He finished the season with 20 goals and two assists in 22 games.
In 2024, he left for Olympique Lyon, where he struggled to get regular playing time and scored a total of five goals in Ligue 2 and the Coupe de France.
In the second half of last season Orban joined Hoffenheim for €9m, and scored four goals in 13 appearances.
Orban’s contract with Verona will run to June 2029, if the option to buy is activated at the end of this season.