Super Eagles striker Gift Orban has vowed to “give everything” after securing a season-long spell from Bundesliga outfit TSG Hoffenheim to Hellas Verona in the Serie A, Footynaija.com reports.
Orban only joined Hoffenheim in the 2025 January transfer window after cutting ties with French Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Lyon. Following his arrival at the German club, the 23-year-old made 13 appearances in the Bundesliga and registered four goals to his name.
Ahead of what would have been Orban’s first full season at Hoffenheim, both club and player have decided that a loan move away from the PreZero Arena is best for all parties. Confirming the move via his social media, the Nigeria international revealed his excitement at the opportunity and promised to “give everything on the pitch.”
What Gift Orban said
“I’m proud to begin this new adventure with such a wonderful club. Thank you for this opportunity—I will give everything on the pitch for these colours. I can’t wait to get started,” he posted on X.
Hellas Verona will pay Hoffenheim a €1 million loan fee, cover the player’s salary and hold an €9 million option to buy next summer. The addition of the Nigerian striker could prove to be a masterstroke for Gil Scaligeri as they look to improve on their 14th place finish from last season or at the very least, avoid relegation to Serie B.
As for Orban, he’ll be looking to rediscover that golden touch that saw him notch 32 goals in 52 games for Belgian side Genk. Serie A has been a great hunting ground for Nigerian forwards in recent years with the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman having excelled at Napoli and Atalanta respectively.
Orban will be hoping he career can follow a similar trajectory with Verona. The Super Eagles striker could potentially be in contention to make his Serie A debut in a couple of days when Verona travel to Lazio on August 31 in gameweek 2.