Exclusive: Hoffenheim's New Boy Gift Orban Sets Sights On Inspiring Bundesliga Side

Dazzling Nigerian striker Gift Orban sealed a sensational switch to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim from Lyon a day after New Year's eve, a move which suited all parties in the most exciting of ways, and one which the player himself has welcomed. 

Thrown in the deep end of top level football at quite a relatively young age, Gift has had to take his time learning the ropes of the game, particularly at Lyon with seasoned teammates the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Saïd Benrahma around. 

There can be no doubts about his quality, and his ability to live up to the expected standards even in his new home, something that the club's managing director Andreas Schicker echoed when he said: "has proven time and time again his goalscoring talent and his enjoyment of playing."

The Super Eagle seemingly can't wait to start off his new adventure. 

"Yes, I'm already looking forward to playing with the guys, and kicking it", Gift told Sportsboom.com with a broad smile. 

"The training sessions have being exciting, I must say. Intense, everyone wants to get involved. Maybe it is because I'm just getting in it for the first times, but I think I'm used to demanding sessions."

Hoffenheim have struggled with juggling their domestic activities with European engagement so far this season, and to some extent that has not quite gone according to plan for the PreZero Arena outfit. But Gift believes their season could be salvaged, and very well take off in the new year. 

EARLY YEARS AND HITTING THE RIGHT STRINGS

From kicking about with his mates at FC Bison to being scouted by Stabæk Fotball, a Norwegian clubside based in Oslo, Gift's trajectory to top level football was as good as it came. 

Fortune has played its part as well, but when the fleet-footed striker found rhythm following the switch and hit his first goals for the club, there was to be no going back. 

So much was his quality that he ended his first professional football season in Norway's second tier top of the goal rankings: 16 league goals and a further two in the NM Cupen marked a spectacular campaign, and Europe's top flight clubs would come swirling. 

Joining Gent eventually in the Belgian Pro League looked to be a defining move in his young career, and one which really brought him to reckoning. It is not often one gets to break a record set by Mohammed Salah for scoring a hat trick in the shortest possible time in a UEFA club competition game, but Gift will manage to do that — he is of course, the gift that keeps on giving. 

RARING TO GO AT HOFFENHEIM

Now at his new side, he understandably only wants more.

"All i want now is to get on the pitch for Hoffenheim, and prove my worth. I want to score goals, that is what I've always wanted, and that is what I want to do here."

"If we can get a good start in 2025, I think it will help because that is the most important thing and not always about individual input."

"Yes, every one wants new challenges, and that is what makes you a better person, a better player. If you're not challenged, not motivated to do something then your performance can drop, so I know and hope this is it."

Hoffenheim will hope to get points on board when they resume their Europa League campaign and welcome Tottenham later this month.

That said, Gift is no stranger to European games, and you have to look at the freakish nature of his first-half treble for Gent in a Europa Conference game to thrash Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1.

"Well, I've not thought much about that [Europa League] but every game is a top one at this level, and should be treated with seriousness."

"We have a lot of games to come before then, and there are some real tough games coming up, so just like i said, we want to start well. That is the important thing."

THE BUNDESLIGA, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

"A lot of talented players have played here before, and you have to look at them and try to make a name for yourself", Gift said. 

"Not only is Hoffenheim a top club in the Bundesliga, it is a top sports community in the Germany, it is that big. So coming here, you can already feel it."

"If you're playing against the likes of Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, Dortmund, you try to give the best account of yourself because these are top teams in European football. What more can you ask for?"

Gift will hope to get his first taste of football with TSG when they welcome Wolfsburg to the PreZero Arena, a game which could see them move level on points with Union Berlin in 12th.