Rewind to the January transfer window of 2022/2023. Gent had just picked up a striker from Norway who had scored an impressive 18 goals in just 23 games for Stabaek in the second tier of Norwegian football. The Buffaloes had clearly seen something in this young forward and felt it was worth taking a punt to see if he could swap Norway’s 1 Divisjon for the Belgian Pro League. Fast forward six months, and this striker was wanted by a number of top sides in Europe. His name was Gift Orban, and he had just scored an incredible 20 goals in just 22 games for Gent.

Those who remember seeing Orban during this period will recall that everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. He was finishing in every possible way, and scored an incredible hat trick in the space of just three minutes away to Istanbul Basaksehir as Gent hammered the Turkish side 4-1 away from home. The sky looked to be the limit for Orban, and many expected him to leave that summer.

However, he remained with Gent for the next six months, and those who watched closely could already see signs that his Midas touch might be escaping him. He still managed to provide Gent with 12 goals in 30 games, bringing his overall tally to a ridiculous 32 goals in just 52 matches. Yet something had changed, although this did not put any of his suitors off. Orban wanted to leave Gent, and Gent finally allowed this to happen. In January 2024, just 12 months after he burst onto the scene, Orban was off. Sadly, this was the beginning of a long period of decline for the once prolific striker.

At the time, his goalscoring record suggested that Orban was a future Super Eagles star. Alongside the likes of Victor Osimhen, it looked like Nigeria had another prolific goal scorer just waiting to be unleashed on world football. However, while everything Orban had touched in that initial six month spell at Gent had turned to gold, the same could not be said of his time in Lyon.

Ligue 1 was his destination when Gent finally decided to sell him (and begin a fire sale of their top talents). In the space of one and a half seasons in France, Orban played just 21 games, with five goals scored. This was not the same carefree goalscoring sensation that we had seen in Gent. Instead, the forward cut a frustrated figure, and it was clear that his move to Lyon was not the right one.

What followed was spells in Germany and Italy. During the 2024/2025 season, Orban left Lyon, like Gent, just 12 months after he had joined. His destination this time was Hoffenheim in Germany. There were hopes that a fresh start in a new league would help Orban return to the form he had shown at Gent. Sadly, this move also proved to be the wrong one. After just 13 games and four goals, Hoffenheim looked to be unsure about their new man. So, for the next season, he was loaned out to Italy and Hellas Verona. Things did not go well on and off the pitch for Orban. He was wound up by fans following a defeat to AC Milan and things got violent, while during one game, away to Parma, he was sent off for the most bizarre reason. Orban looked to have been fouled, and so he complained to the referee in a run of the mill fashion, only for the referee to send him off. The Italian side had a purchase option of €9m, but after seven goals in 29 games, they decided against it.

So, Orban returned to Hoffenheim. He is only 24, so there is still plenty of time, but it appeared that the once bright star was no longer considered a hot prospect. However, newly promoted Amed Sportif were on hand to give Orban another chance. So far, this decision has paid off. In just six games, the striker has smashed in seven goals, a return to the same form he had shown during his time at Gent. From the outside looking in, it appears that Orban has found a league he enjoys playing in and a club that is helping him regain some confidence. There is still plenty of time for Orban to become the striker many hoped he would after his goalscoring blitz with Gent.

Going into the international break, the newly promoted Amed sit top of the table. Orban sits joint top of the soring charts, alongside a certain Osimhen. If he can keep up this fine form, he may well see a return to the Super Eagles set up and a chance to finally make his long awaited debut for the Nigerian national side. Whether or not Orban earns a Nigeria call up is bye the bye. What is great to see if a player enjoying his football again. Orban’s return to form in Turkish football is a redemption story of sorts, but also a reminder that the right environment is crucial for getting the best out of a player.