Gift Orban moves to Amedspor on season-long loan as Turkish top-flight debut beckons

Nigeria forward Gift Orban has joined Amedspor on loan from Hoffenheim for the upcoming season, with the deal including a clause that could make the transfer permanent at the end of the campaign.

The 24-year-old will play in Turkey for the first time as Amedspor prepare for their debut season in the top tier of Turkish football, having significantly strengthened their squad ahead of the step up.

Amedspor confirmed on social media that Orban’s temporary move from Hoffenheim runs for the entire season, and that an obligation to buy will be triggered if certain conditions, agreed between the two clubs, are met.

Orban, a Nigeria international, remains under contract with Hoffenheim until 2029. He has been valued at around €7m, with that figure reflecting his development since leaving his homeland.

Agent: Amedspor project ‘convinced’ Orban

Orban’s representative, Atta Aneke, told Footy-Africa that the sporting vision laid out by Amedspor’s hierarchy was decisive in the player’s choice.

According to Aneke, the project presented by the Turkish club’s management “totally convinced” the striker, who was looking for a new environment after his most recent loan spell.

Last season, Orban spent the campaign in Italy with Hellas Verona, also on loan. He scored seven goals and provided three assists in 29 Serie A appearances, delivering a solid individual return in a struggling side.

Despite his contributions, Hellas Verona were unable to avoid relegation from Serie A, a setback that prompted Orban to consider alternative options to continue his career at a high level.

Search for former goalscoring form –

Born in Benue and developed at Bison FC, Orban is aiming to rediscover the prolific form that first drew wider attention during his spells with Stabæk and KAA Gent.

After leaving Belgium, the forward had successive stints at Lyon, Hoffenheim and Verona, but has yet to find the same consistency in front of goal that marked his breakthrough years.

His move to Amedspor offers the chance of regular football in a new league and a prominent role in a squad built to compete in the Turkish top flight for the first time in the club’s history.

Amedspor will hope that Orban’s experience across several European leagues, combined with his proven finishing at earlier stages of his career, can help establish them at the highest level of the domestic game, while the loan structure gives both clubs and the player flexibility over his long-term future.