Gift Orban Set for Loan Move to Turkish Club Amedspor

Super Eagles player Gift Orban is close to a season-long loan deal with Turkish Super Lig team Amedspor. He is moving from Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim. This comes as more Nigerian players are joining Turkish football, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Turkish journalist Ertan Suzgun reports that Hoffenheim and Amedspor have agreed on the loan for the 2026/27 season. The deal also includes an option for Amedspor to buy the striker when the loan ends next summer.

Orban has agreed on personal terms with Amedspor. He is expected to fly to Turkey for his medical check-up before the official announcement.

This transfer follows Orban’s return to Hoffenheim after spending last season on loan at Hellas Verona in Italy. Verona chose not to activate the purchase option in his contract after they were relegated from Serie A.

The 24-year-old scored seven goals and provided two assists in 28 league games for Verona despite the team's challenges. He is still under contract with Hoffenheim until June 30, 2029. Transfermarkt values him at about €7m.

Orban was born in Benue State to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother. He gained attention after leaving Nigerian club Bison FC for Norwegian team Stabaek in 2022. There, he scored 16 league goals in 22 matches, winning the Golden Boot and Young Player of the Year award while helping the club gain promotion.

His performance led to a transfer to Belgian club Gent in January 2023. He netted 32 goals in 52 matches across all competitions. This includes a hat-trick in just three minutes against Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

French team Lyon signed him in January 2024 for up to €20m. But he only scored five goals in 21 matches before moving to Hoffenheim in January 2025 for a reported €9m.

Orban is eligible to play for both Nigeria and Togo but picked Nigeria. He got his first Super Eagles call-up in September 2023 under then-coach Jose Peseiro for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe. Injuries and competition from established players like Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams have limited his chances with the national team.

Orban’s upcoming move is part of a growing trend of Super Eagles players in Turkey. Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu both won trophies in Turkey last season. Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho also recently joined Bursaspor.

A good season with Amedspor could give Orban the playing time he needs to push for a bigger role in the national team ahead of future Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.