Olympique Lyon, a club in France’s top football division, Ligue 1, is reportedly close to signing Nigerian striker, Gift Orban, from KAA Gent, a Belgian club.
According to transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old will become a Lyon player after a €13m fee to Gent.
“Gift Orban to Olympique Lyon, here we go! Deal done for €13m fee to Gent.
“Deal strongly wanted by John Textor, one more top signing after Malick Fofana. Orban will sign until June 2028,” Romano wrote on X.
Orban, who was nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year for 2023, quickly became a highly coveted player since his arrival at Jupiler side Gent in January 2023.
Gift Orban gained recognition as a skilled striker during his first half-year with the Buffaloes, netting an impressive 20 goals in just 22 games.
Impressive speed and skill were on display as he scored a hat trick in a 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League match against Basaksehir.
There have been some debates among fans on social media regarding the decision of Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro to leave out Orban from the squad for the ongoing AFCON tournament following injuries to Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar.
One X user, Timothy North, wrote, “We need goal scorers please, we need hustlers. What did Gift Orban do to you? Y’all don’t see stats?” he wrote.
Orban joins the growing list of Nigerian players who have made their way to the French Ligue 1, following in the footsteps of successful Nigerian strikers such as Akor Adams and Terem Moffi.
Founded in 1950, Lyon has also won eight Trophées des Champions, five Coupes de France, and three Ligue 2 titles.
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