Gent prodigy Gift Orban has become Nigeria’s most valuable 20-year-old footballer with a current market value of €9 million, according to Transfermarkt.
The young striker, signed by KAA Gent during the January 2023 transfer window for €3.3 million, has already made an impact in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, where he has scored seven goals and provided one assist in just six appearances.
Orban’s impressive form has helped Gent climb to fifth place in the league table and qualify for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The youngster was worth around a million euros late last year.
Despite Orban’s emergence, Victor Osimhen remains Nigeria’s most valuable footballer, with a market value of €100 million.
Osimhen, Napoli’s brightest star in Italy’s Serie A, has been in outstanding form this season, scoring 21 goals and providing five assists in 23 league appearances.
In addition to Orban and Osimhen, two other Nigerian footballers have reached new career highs in terms of market value.
Terem Moffi, who plays as a centre-forward for OGC Nice in France’s Ligue 1, has a current market value of €20 million.
International teammate Ademola Lookman has also reached a market value of €30 million after an exceptional time in his debut season at Atalanta.
Orban’s rapid rise highlights the increasing strength of Nigeria’s football talent pool, which has produced several top-class players in recent years.
With Osimhen leading the way, Nigerian football is sure to continue making headlines on the international stage for years to come.
