Orban joins Amedspor

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Nigerian striker Gift Orban has completed a season-long loan move to newly promoted Turkish Süper Lig side Amedspor from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The former Super Eagles invitee ended his brief return to Germany after a season on loan at Italian side Hellas Verona.

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The deal includes an obligation to buy that could see the 24-year-old join Amedspor on a permanent, long-term contract should the agreed conditions be met, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over his future after he fell out of Hoffenheim’s plans with no realistic route back into the first team.

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According to the player’s agent, Atta Aneke, Orban was convinced to join Amedspor by the ambition and vision presented by the club.

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“Gift believes Amedspor are an ambitious club with a clear project and a huge fan base,” Aneke told Footy-Africa.

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“After speaking with the club, he felt their vision matched his own ambitions. He is excited to join them and help the team achieve its goals this season.”

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Aneke, who also represents Super Eagles stars Akor Adams, Victor Boniface and Chidera Ejuke, added that Orban was excited by the challenge of Turkish football.

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“He is delighted to move to Turkish football because he knows it is a highly competitive league that has been home to many successful Nigerian players.

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“Gift is looking forward to the challenge, settling in quickly and contributing to the team’s journey in the top flight,” he said.

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Orban had also attracted interest from Serie A side Bologna this summer, though a move failed to materialise.

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He spent last season on loan at Verona, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 29 Serie A appearances, but could not prevent the club’s relegation from Italy’s top flight, with an altercation with a fan late in the campaign further ending any hopes of a permanent deal there.

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The Nigerian first made his name in Europe with Norwegian side Stabæk before a prolific spell at Belgian club Gent, where he scored 32 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions, form that earned him a €12m move to French side Lyon in January 2024.

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He becomes the latest Nigerian player to move to Turkish football, following Kelechi Iheanacho’s recent switch to Bursaspor, and will be hoping Amedspor, fresh from securing promotion to the Süper Lig for the first time in the club’s history, can provide the platform to reignite his career.

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