Gift Orban

Gift Emmanuel Orban (born 17 July 2002) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Belgian club Gent.

Gift Orban
Personal information
Full name Gift Emmanuel Orban
Date of birth (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Gent
Number 20
Youth career
0000–2021 Bison FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Bison FC
2022 → Stabæk (loan) 9 (7)
2022 → Stabæk 2 (loan) 4 (4)
2022–2023 Stabæk 13 (9)
2023– Gent 1 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:34, 2 November 2022 (UTC)

Career

He grew up in Togo as well as Nigeria, and speaks French. In November 2021 he was scouted by Stabæk's Torgeir Bjarmann and Thomas Finstad in Nigeria during a showcase tournament arranged by agent Atta Aneke. He trained with Stabæk during the winter of 2022 before returning after his visa expired.[1] Returning to Norway, he signed for Stabæk in late May 2022. The transfer from Nigerian club Bison FC was a loan with an option to buy.[2]

He scored his first goals in cup matches against semi-professional teams Notodden and Gjøvik-Lyn (twice).[3] After this he became a starting player for Stabæk. His goal against SK Brann was compared to Alanzinho's time at Stabæk.[4] VG also called him a "striker jewel".[5]

When Stabæk sold Oliver Valaker Edvardsen in July, the club announced they would spend the money on Orban's buyout option.[6] The contract tying Orban to Stabæk until the end of 2026 was announced on 3 August.[7] He became the top scorer in the 2022 Norwegian First Division with 16 goals, alongside Bård Finne.[8] Helping Stabæk win promotion to 2023 Eliteserien, Orban was also named Young Player of the Year in the First Division.[9]

On 31 January 2023, Orban joined Belgian Pro League side KAA Gent on a permanent deal.[10] On 11 February 2023, Orban scored two goals on his Pro League debut in a 3-3 draw with Westerlo.[11]

Honours
Individual

References
  1. "Stabæk-spiller Gift (19): – Fotballen er min mulighet". Budstikka (in Norwegian). 7 July 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  2. Stormoen, Stein-Erik (20 May 2022). "Stabæks spissgave til fansen: Gift på plass" (in Norwegian). Eurosport. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  3. Strømnes, André (29 June 2022). "Denne spissen bøtter innpå med mål". Budstikka (in Norwegian). Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  4. Korsnes, Oscar (10 July 2022). "Stabæks nye juvel scoret igjen: – Han er en gave" (in Norwegian). Eurosport. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. Brandsnes, Håkon (10 July 2022). "Stabæks nye spissjuvel stjal showet da Branns rekordrekke ble brutt". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  6. Aspelund, Anders Rødaas (17 July 2022). "Selger Edvardsen – erstatteren er allerede i klubben". Budstikka (in Norwegian). Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  7. Boge-Fredriksen, Hans Christian (3 August 2022). "Gift Orban forlenger med Stabæk". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  8. "OBOS-ligaen 2022 - Toppscorer, gule og røde kort" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  9. Steien, Vegard Kjøllmoen (29 October 2022). "Toppscoreren kåret til årets unge spiller: – Han har vært redningen" (in Norwegian). Eurosport. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  10. "WELCOMEGIFT!" (in Dutch). K.A.A. Gent. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  11. "VIDEO: Gift Orban scores two on his debut including an iconic goal to help Gent draw at Westerlo". SportsRation. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.

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