Gift Orban: Hellas Verona make key call on future of Nigerian forward

Italian club Hellas Verona have made a final decision on the future of former Super Eagles invitee Gift Orban, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 23-year-old joined Verona from Hoffenheim on a season-long loan deal last summer after struggling for regular playing time in Germany, where he had already been deemed surplus to requirements.

Orban was one of the bright spots in a difficult campaign for Verona, who were eventually relegated to Serie B, ending their seven-year stay in Italy’s top flight. He scored seven goals and provided three assists in 28 league appearances for the club.

However, his season ended on a sour note after he was ruled out of Verona’s final five matches due to disciplinary issues. This followed an altercation with a fan after a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in April.

Gift Orban set to return to Hoffenheim after Hellas Verona loan

With the 2025-26 Italian league season now over, doubts had emerged over whether Verona would activate the option to make Gift Orban’s move permanent.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Serie A side have now decided against signing Orban permanently, which would see the young forward return to Hoffenheim at the end of his loan spell.

The 23-year-old had faced uncertainty over his future heading towards the end of the campaign. While there were expectations that Verona could trigger the option to keep him beyond the loan following an impressive start to life at the club. 

However, those plans changed after he was involved in a physical confrontation with a supporter after the defeat to AC Milan last month. Although he was not sanctioned by Serie A authorities, Verona chose to leave him out for the remainder of the season despite his importance to the team and he also issued an apology for his unacceptable behaviour.

With no clear pathway at Hoffenheim either, Orban is now expected to be available for transfer once again this summer. His market value is estimated at around €10 million, although Hoffenheim could be open to another loan move.

The Nigerian forward will now carefully assess his options and decide on his next step, as he hopes to rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers.

A strong move in the summer could also help revive his chances of returning to the Super Eagles setup.