Transfer news: Sunderland summer striker target completes £10m Europa League move
One-time Sunderland target Gift Orban is on the move again
Former Sunderland transfer target Gift Orban has completed a big money transfer to Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim from French outfit Olympique Lyonnais, it has been confirmed.
The Nigerian striker was one of several attacking talents linked with a move to the Stadium of Light in the latter stages of the summer window, but ultimately stayed put in France. Indeed, confirmation of the 22-year-old’s lack of movement came when he was named in Lyon’s match day squad for a home clash with RC Strasbourg on deadline day. The forward would be introduced from the bench to score two goals in a dramatic 4-3 victory, but has struggled for game time ever since.
Prior to leaving Lyon, he had registered just five appearances across all competitions this season, and failed to add to the brace he scored in late August. To compound Orban’s situation further, he was named in just one domestic match day squad from the end of September onwards.
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Now, however, his Ligue 1 limbo has been brought to an end. On Thursday evening, it was confirmed that he has put pen to paper on a permanent deal with Hoffenheim, with the attached transfer fee worth an initial £7.5 million, plus a further a £2.5 million in additional bonuses.
In a statement addressing Orban’s arrival, Hoffenheim’s managing director of sport, Andreas Schicker, said: "In Gift Orban we have found exactly the fast striker with good depth that we were looking for. Gift has repeatedly demonstrated his goal threat and his joy of playing in his previous positions, so we are convinced that his skills will give our team greater variability in attack."
At the time of writing, Hoffenheim are still competing in this season’s Europa League, but have struggled domestically, and currently lie 15th in the Bundesliga table having taken 14 points from their opening 15 matches. For his part, Orban has now been on the books at four European clubs since 2022, having also played for Norwegian side and Stabaek and Belgian outfit KAA Gent.