Nigerian striker Gift Orban has, without any doubt, made his mark as one of Nigeria’s most exciting young forwards lighting up European football right now.
From bursting onto the scene in Norway with Stabæk, to making a name for himself in the Belgian Pro League with KAA Gent, and now shining bright in the Bundesliga with TSG Hoffenheim, Orban’s journey has been a story of fast growth and raw talent.
In this piece, Footynaija.com brings you everything you need to know about the Nigerian striker.
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Biography
Gift Emmanuel Orban was born on July 17, 2002 in Benue State, Nigeria. He hails from the Tiv ethnic group and spent his early years in Nigeria, where his love for football started at a very young age.
Growing up, Orban honed his skills in various local football setups across Nigeria. His natural eye for goal and hard work caught the attention of scouts, which earned him a move to Europe.
He began his professional career with Stabæk Fotball in Norway, joining the club in 2022 after impressing during trials. Orban quickly announced himself by scoring freely in the Norwegian First Division, helping his team with key goals and assists during his breakthrough season.
His performances in Norway did not go unnoticed, and by January 2023, KAA Gent came calling. At Gent, Orban continued to raise his profile, banging in goals across both league and European matches. His fine form sparked interest from top European clubs.
In January 2025, Orban sealed a big move to the German Bundesliga, joining TSG Hoffenheim. The move to Germany’s top division has been a big leap in his young career, as he continues to test himself against some of Europe’s strongest defenders and sharpest teams.
Career Stats
Although he has yet to make any appearance for the Nigerian national football team, Orban’s career has been an impressive rise through European football, with great performances at every club he has played for.
Here is a look at his career stats at each club:
Stabæk (Norway) – 24 appearances (19G, 7A)
Olympique Lyon (France) — 21 appearances (5G, 0A)
KAA Gent (Belgium) – 52 appearances (32G, 2A)
TSG Hoffenheim (Germany) – 12 appearances (4G, 0A)
Current Stats
Gift Orban is currently battling to keep TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, as the German side finds themselves locked in a tough relegation fight. The Nigerian forward has shown a lot of determination, scoring 4 goals in 12 appearances so far this season.
Salary
Gift Orban’s annual salary at TSG Hoffenheim is reportedly €2,080,000, which is about €40,000 per week. His salary is likely to increase as his career progresses and if he moves to a bigger club in the future.
Net Worth and Market Value
Orban’s net worth is estimated at €5 million, and his market value stands at €10 million, per Transfermarkt. Given his potential and performances, both his net worth and market value are expected to rise even further in the coming years.
Family
Gift Orban is the only child of his family. He was born to a Togolese mother and a Nigerian father, and both parents played a big role in shaping his character.
They were very supportive of his football dreams from the early days and helped to instil strong discipline in him, something that has stayed with him throughout his career.
Girlfriend, Wife, and Kids
As of now, Gift Orban is not publicly known to be in any relationship. There are no reports linking him to a girlfriend, wife, or children at this stage of his career. The young striker seems fully focused on his football journey, looking to reach even greater heights in Europe before settling down.
Transfer News
After joining TSG Hoffenheim in January 2025, there are no news about his transfer from the German club anytime soon. His talent and potential, however, suggest that a move to an even bigger club could happen in the near future.
FC 25 Rating
In EA SPORTS FC™ 25, Gift Orban has an overall rating of 74. Here’s a breakdown of his key stats:
Shooting: 79
Pace: 77
Jumping: 73
Dribbling: 73
Positioning: 74
Finishing: 81
Penalties: 71
Shot Power: 83
