Nigeria striker Gift Orban has completed his permanent move to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim from French club Olympique Lyon, with Softfootball understanding the German outfit paid an initial €9 million plus a further €3 million in performance-related add-ons to secure his signature.
The 22-year-old has signed a long-term contract that will keep him at Hoffenheim until the summer of 2029, ending a difficult spell in Ligue 1 where he struggled for regular opportunities.
Orban arrives in Germany hoping to revive his career after flashes of brilliance at Lyon were overshadowed by inconsistency and a breakdown in his relationship with the coaching staff.
Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker welcomed the signing and expressed confidence that the Nigerian will strengthen the club’s attacking options.
He told the club’s official website:
In Gift Orban, we have found exactly the fast striker with good depth that we were looking for.
Schicker added:
Gift has repeatedly demonstrated his goal danger and his joy of playing at his previous stations, so we are convinced that he gives our team greater variability in the offence with his skills.
The move offers Orban a fresh opportunity to rediscover the prolific form that made him one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards during his time with Belgian club Gent.
