Gift Orban is on the verge of sealing a season-long loan move to Serie A side Hellas Verona, with medicals set for later on Wednesday. Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm that the Nigerian striker is expected to join the Italian club in less than 48 hours.
An exclusive source at Aneke Player Management Group, Orban’s representatives, told Footy-Africa:
“Gift (Orban) nearly joined Toulouse, but Verona tabled better terms. The offer from Verona was impossible to reject, and he is now set for medicals today. There’s an option to sign permanently at the end of the season in the contract that should be signed before the weekend.”
Hellas Verona to sign Gift Orban: €10m fee + wages – Transfer breakdown
The 23-year-old forward joined Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim in January 2025 but has struggled for regular minutes, making just 13 appearances across all competitions and scoring four goals. His representatives have since been working on securing a move that guarantees him more playing time.
Before his time in Germany, Orban had a stint in France with Lyon (2023–2025), where he made 21 appearances and scored five goals. He first rose to prominence at Gent, hitting 32 goals in 52 outings across league, Cup, and European matches. His journey began at Stabæk in Norway, where he registered 19 goals in just 24 games during the 2021/22 campaign.
The pending switch to Verona marks a fresh chapter for Orban as he looks to rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young strikers.
“He needs to buckle up and do better,” Choji on Orban’s potential loan
