Nigerian striker Gift Orban has been given as escape route from his misery by German outfit Hoffenheim, who have agreed a deal with Olympique Lyon for his signature.
The French club had earlier this week, turned down two bids from the former German champions while also rejecting another offer from French side Lens for the signature of the former Gent striker, with both offers believed to fall below their €12 million valuation.
A deal has finally been agreed between both parties with Gift Orban now set to move away from the Les Gones after joining just a year ago.
Hoffenheim are 15th in the German Bundesliga this season, and the 22-year old is seen as a solution to their misfiring attack as they bid to avoid relegation to the second division. They have scored just 20 goals in 15 matches and have the seventh worst attack in the division this season.
The Nigerian forward joined Lyon in 2023 for €14 million, after a stellar campaign at Belgian side Gent but has struggled to make an impact in the team due to the presence of French forward Alexandre Lacazette, and Georgian striker Georges Mikautadze, who are both preferred ahead of him by coach Pierre Sage.
This season, he has made just five appearances for the former French champions, scoring twice and has not played a Ligue one game since September, when he featured in the 3-2 loss to Olympique Marseille.
The move is expected to be finalized soon, with Gift Orban getting a chance to revive his career in a new environment after a disappointing time in France.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
