Gift Orban will be looking to revive his football career after completing a move to German Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim from Olympique Lyon, Afrosport reports.
The Nigerian forward failed to establish himself with Les Gomes after joining from Gent in January 2024, featuring just 21 times across board, scoring only five goals.
Orban will now have the opportunity to re-establish himself in Germany with Hoffenheim where he has penned a deal until June 2029 for a free reported to be €12 million.
“In Gift Orban we have found exactly the fast striker with good depth that we were looking for,” Hoffenheim Managing Director of Sports Andreas Schicker told the club website.
“Gift has repeatedly demonstrated his goal threat and his joy of playing in his previous positions, so we are convinced that his skills will give our team greater variability in attack.”
Jetzt wird’s 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭ig 😈 pic.twitter.com/1a9NHsX1Bt
— TSG Hoffenheim (@tsghoffenheim) January 2, 2025
Hoffenheim are currently 15th in the Bundesliga standings, just four points away from the relegation/promotion playoff spot.
Orban will have the opportunity to make his debut at home against Wolfsburg next Saturday and Schicker cannot wait to have him in the action.
“Gift Orban made his last start against us in the Europa League. The days leading up to the game against Wolfsburg will do him good,” he added.
“But he has a good physique, a good feeling for depth, and is very quick to start. Gift also brings a certain goal threat.
“He showed his quality during his time at KAA Gent. And if you break down his goal ratio at Lyon into minutes, it is also extremely good.”
Orban will join Kevin Akpoguma as the second Nigerian currently with Hoffenheim and the third in the history of the club after Chinedu Obasi.
