Nigerian striker Orban joins Hoffenheim

Gift Orban, a 22-year-old Nigerian striker, has completed a move to German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim from Olympique Lyon.

Orban signed a four-year deal and will wear jersey number 14 at his new club.

The move ends Orban’s disappointing one-year spell at Lyon, where he scored only five goals in 21 matches.

He had fallen out of favor with the team, playing only five times this season.

His last league appearance for Lyon was on September 22, and his final match for the club was in the Europa League against his new team, Hoffenheim, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Orban expressed his excitement about joining Hoffenheim, describing his new home as “wonderful.”

He took to social media to share his enthusiasm, saying, “New year, new adventures! Excited to be part of this wonderful club Hoffenheim.”

Orban (right) during his unveiling by Hoffenheim

Andreas Schicker, Hoffenheim’s sporting director, also welcomed Orban, praising his goalscoring talent and pace.

“In Gift Orban, we have found exactly the fast striker with good depth that we were looking for,” Schicker said.

“He has proven time and time again his goalscoring talent and his enjoyment of playing. We are therefore confident that he will bring our team greater offensive variability thanks to his abilities.”

Orban’s move to Hoffenheim reunites him with his international teammate Kevin Akpoguma.

Born in Benue State, Orban had previously played for Genk, scoring 32 goals in 52 matches before joining Lyon.

He was once invited to the Super Eagles‘ camp and will be hoping to revive his career and earn a recall to the national team with his new club.

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