“Things didn’t go how I planned” – Orban breaks silence on move from Lyon to Hoffenheim

Nigerian striker Gift Orban has opened up for the first time about his difficult season, which saw him leave French Ligue 1 in January for the German Bundesliga, Soccernet.ng reports.

Moving from Lyon to Hoffenheim for a fee in the region of €9 million, the Super Eagles invitee revealed that the 2023–24 season campaign has not gone as expected.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Bundesliga side in January in search of more playing time, took to social media to reflect on his struggles since leaving Ligue 1.

“It’s been a rough season, no doubt. Things didn’t go how I planned, but I’ve kept my head down and kept grinding,” Orban wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. “The season’s almost over, and I’m focused on finishing strong and coming back better.”

Orban arrived at Lyon in January 2024 amid high expectations following a prolific spell at KAA Gent, where he quickly gained a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards.

However, limited opportunities and inconsistent form saw him leave the Parc Olympique Lyonnais for the German Bundesliga just a year after joining the French club.

Since his move to Germany, Orban has struggled to secure a regular starting place—scoring four goals in 13 domestic league games—and injuries have not been kind to him either.

With the Bundesliga campaign drawing to a close, Orban will be hoping to use the summer to regroup as he looks to revive his career in the new season.