Discover the captivating biography of Gift Orban, the Nigeria Super Eagles football sensation. In this article, explore his origins, early life, impressive stats, market value, net worth, and the prestigious honors he has achieved.
Uncover the rising star's journey from showcasing his talents on the streets to making a mark in top-tier European leagues.
Gift Orban Biography
Gift Emmanuel Orban, popularly known as Gift Orban, is a Nigerian professional footballer who has made a name for himself as one of the best young players in the world. He was born on July 17, 2002, in Nigeria, and currently, he is 21 years old. Orban plays as a striker and is admired for his remarkable speed, strength, and finishing abilities inside the box. Standing at 178 cm or 5 ft 10 in tall, he possesses an impressive physical stature for a striker.
Gift Orban childhood story
Gift Orban was born to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother. He grew up as an only child, and his parents provided him with a loving and nurturing environment. His parents played a significant role in instilling moral values in him from a young age. However, there is a scarcity of information and photos of his parents available online, indicating that they prefer to maintain a private life.
Gift Orban growing-up years
During his early childhood, Orban spent time in his hometown in Nigeria. Later, he moved to Togo, his mother's home country, where he spent most of his teenage years. Being the only child, he developed strong bonds with other kids in his community and discovered his passion for soccer. He and his friends shared a common dream of becoming professional footballers and vowed to work hard to achieve that goal.
Gift Orban Early Life
Orban was inspired by the success of his fellow Nigerian footballer, Emmanuel Adebayo, who had excelled in top-tier European leagues. This inspiration drove him to aspire for greatness in the sport, following in the footsteps of his predecessors.
Even from a young age, it was evident that Orban possessed exceptional talent and skills on the football field, impressing spectators with his abilities.
However, he faced the challenge of not having access to sports academies in his early years, and his football development was mainly centered around playing on the streets with his friends.
Gift Orban family background
Orban's family background is characterized by a middle-class status. Despite their humble abode, his parents provided for his needs and ensured he had a comfortable upbringing. They shielded him from child labor, which is prevalent in some African countries, and supported his football aspirations.
Notably, Orban's parents were financially stable, as his father owned a house in Nigeria, and his mother had a house in Togo, ensuring that he never had to face homelessness or hunger.
Gift Orban family origin
Orban has a mixed heritage, with his mother hailing from Togo and his father being of Nigerian origin, specifically from the Middlebelt region of Benue State. This dual heritage makes him both Togolese and Nigerian by nationality.
Gift Orban tribe and ethnicity
From an ethnic standpoint, Orban identifies with the Idoma language, which is primarily spoken in Benue State, Nigeria. This is due to his father's roots in the same region.
Gift Orban education
Although African parents often prioritize education for their children, Orban's passion for football led him to prioritize sport over academics. He occasionally skipped classes to participate in local football matches, even if it meant facing consequences at school. Despite this, he received the support of his parents, who allowed him to pursue his dream.
“I used to run away from class to play football matches, and it resulted in me being beaten up in school the next day”, the Nigerian player stated.
Gift Orban club career
Stabæk
In November 2021, Gift Orban‘s talents caught the attention of Stabæk's scouts, Torgeir Bjarmann and Thomas Finstad, during a showcase tournament held in Nigeria. This led to him being invited to train with the club during the winter of 2021/2022. However, due to visa constraints, he had to return to Nigeria temporarily.
The young striker's determination and skills left a lasting impression on Stabæk, and in late May 2022, he officially signed for the Norwegian club. The transfer was initially structured as a loan with an option to buy from Nigerian club Bison.
Orban's goal-scoring prowess quickly became evident as he netted his first goals for Stabæk in cup matches against semi-professional teams Notodden and Gjøvik-Lyn (scoring twice against the latter). His impressive performances earned him a spot in the starting lineup, and his goal against SK Brann drew comparisons to Alanzinho, a notable former player at Stabæk. The media, including VG, lauded him as a “striker jewel,” recognizing his potential and impact on the team.
During the 2022 season, Orban had a remarkable run as he emerged as the top scorer in the Norwegian First Division, finding the back of the net 16 times alongside Bård Finne. His contributions were instrumental in helping Stabæk secure promotion to the 2023 Eliteserien. Notably, he also received the prestigious Young Player of the Year award in the First Division, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in Norwegian football.
Gent
On 31 January 2023, Gift Orban's impressive performances at Stabæk caught the attention of Belgian Pro League side Gent, who signed him on a permanent deal. He made an immediate impact at Gent, making his Pro League debut on 11 February and scoring two goals in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Westerlo.
However, it was on 12 March that Orban etched his name in the history books by scoring four goals in an astonishing 6–2 away win over Zulte Waregem. This remarkable feat made him the first player from Gent to achieve such a goal-scoring feat in the 21st century, further solidifying his status as a star in the making.
Just three days later, in the UEFA Europa Conference League round 16, Orban achieved something extraordinary, scoring a first-half hat-trick in a 4–1 away win against İstanbul Başakşehir. Notably, he set a new record for the fastest hat-trick in UEFA club competitions, achieving this feat in just three minutes and 25 seconds, breaking the previous record held by Mohammed Salah in the Champions League.
The young striker's outstanding performances at Gent have garnered attention from top clubs, with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly showing interest in signing him during the summer of 2023.
Gift Orban stats
Gift Orban has showcased his incredible goal-scoring ability throughout his career, and his stats speak volumes about his impact on the field. Let's take a closer look at his performances at Stabæk and Gent, as well as his overall career stats:
Stabæk 2022
In the 2022 season with Stabæk, Gift Orban made 24 appearances for the Norwegian club. During this time, he proved to be a prolific striker, finding the back of the net on 19 occasions. His remarkable goal-scoring exploits earned him recognition as one of the rising stars in football.
Gent 2022–23
In the 2022–23 season, Orban moved to Belgian Pro League side Gent. During this season, he continued to impress with his goal-scoring prowess. Orban made 22 appearances for the club, consistently delivering impactful performances. His total tally of 20 goals during this period solidified his reputation as a potent striker and made him a standout player in the league.
Gent 2023–24 Season
Gift Orban has continued his remarkable goal-scoring form since the start of the 2023-24 season. So far, he has played 9 games for Gent, four in the Belgian Pro League and five in the UEFA Conference League. He has 6 goals already, including a hat-trick in Gent's 5-0 demolition of Pogoń Szczecin in the Conference League Qualifiers first leg.
Another season but same 🇳🇬Orban Gift
Guess what? He’s scored again 😮💨😮💨⚽️ pic.twitter.com/beRLUg5Iuj
— António Mango (@AntonioMango4) July 27, 2023
Career Total
Combining his performances at both Stabæk and Gent, Orban has accumulated impressive figures. In his career so far, he has made a total of 55 appearances for both clubs. In those appearances, he has managed to score a staggering 45 goals. These numbers highlight his consistency and ability to make a significant impact on the pitch.
Gift Orban's statistics reflect the potential for a long and successful career in football. As a young talent, he has already proven himself as a goal-scoring machine and is highly sought after by top clubs. With his speed, strength, and lethal finishing abilities, Orban has all the attributes to become one of the world's most prominent strikers in the coming years.
Gift Orban international career
Born to a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother, Orban is eligible to represent either country but his desire has been to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Despite proving his worth in Norway and Belgium, Orban's inclusion to the Super Eagles didn't come early as expected but finally the star striker got what he deserved on 3 September 2023 as he was called up to the Nigerian team to face Sao Tome and Príncipe in the last AFCON qualifying match.
According to one of the NFF selectors, Orban’s invitation to the Super Eagles is a testimony to the fact that, “no matter how long it may take, hard work will always be rewarded”.
Orban had a great return of goals and assists last season and so far, in the 2023/24 campaign, he has scored 6 goals in seven games for Gent. 4 of the goals were in the Europa League qualifying, and the remaining 2 goals were netted in three Jupiler League games.
Gift Orban's eagerly anticipated debut for the Super Eagles was put on hold due to an unfortunate injury setback. His dreams of representing the three-time African champions were temporarily dashed as he was ruled out of the crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.
Orban's absence became evident during the team's last training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where he was unable to participate due to the injury sustained during a prior Super Eagles' training session.
The Nigerian watched his teammates from the sidelines, undoubtedly eager to recover and make a meaningful contribution to the national team in the future.
Gift Orban honours
- Norwegian First Division Top Scorer (2022): In the 2022 season, Gift Orban showcased his goal-scoring prowess in the Norwegian First Division, becoming the league's top scorer. This recognition highlights his ability to consistently find the back of the net and make a significant impact for his team.
- Norwegian First Division Young Player of the Year (2022): Not only did Orban impress with his goal-scoring abilities, but he also caught the attention of football enthusiasts and experts alike with his overall performances. His outstanding displays earned him the title of Young Player of the Year in the Norwegian First Division in 2022, recognizing his immense talent and potential at such a young age.
Gift Orban Market Value
Gift Orban's performances have not only earned him honors but have also significantly boosted his market value. As of Jun 9, 2023, his current market value stands at an impressive €20.00 million.
Ranking
- Worldwide rank: He is ranked number 410 among all players worldwide, which is a testament to his growing reputation as a rising star in football.
- Jupiler Pro League rank: In the Jupiler Pro League, the top-tier football league in Belgium, Orban holds an impressive position as the number 1 ranked player among all participants. This recognition underlines his impact and importance to his club, KAA Gent, and showcases his talent on the big stage.
- KAA Gent rank: Within KAA Gent, Gift Orban is regarded as the number 1 player, reflecting his significance and influence on the team's performance.
- Nigeria rank: Among all players from Nigeria, Orban holds a respected position as the number 7 ranked player. This ranking further establishes him as one of the top Nigerian football talents in the global football landscape.
- Centre-forward rank: As a striker playing in the centre-forward position, Orban is ranked number 52 among all players globally who play in the same position.
- Year 2002 rank: Considering players born in 2002, Orban stands out as the number 23 ranked player, highlighting his talent and achievements within his age group.
Gift Orban net worth
As a rising star and record-breaking poacher, Gift Orban's net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. His market value has also seen significant growth, with clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur showing interest in signing him.
What is Gift Orban's Instagram?
His Instagram account is @giftorban and has 33.1 k followers as of July 28, 2023.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 days ago
