Gift Emmanuel Orban Moves to Bundesliga: Expectations of Playing Time and Career Boost

After falling out of favor at Olympique Lyonnais, Gift Emmanuel Orban sought a fresh start by moving to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The change of scenery appears to have worked wonders; in Germany, the striker is not only enjoying more playing time but also a significant pay rise. Orban’s ambition now is to hone his talents and eventually earn a return to the elite level of European football.

What is Gift Emmanuel Orban’s salary at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim?

The Nigerian striker joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the winter of 2025, signing a contract set to run until June 30, 2029. Over the five years in Germany, he will earn €10,400,000, excluding bonuses. For the 2024/2025 season, Orban’s salary is €2,080,000, which translates to €40,000 per week.

Team overview: Orban ranks among the top three highest-paid African players in the team

During the 2024/2025 season, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s total salary expenditure amounts to €49,670,000 per year, or €955,192 per week. The team’s highest earner is striker Andrej Kramaric, making €5,450,000 annually. Orban is among the higher earners, ranking 11th in the team’s salary rankings. This move provides him with a solid financial foundation as he aims to develop his skills and return to a top-tier club.

Orban also ranks second among the highest-paid Nigerian players in the Bundesliga. He is closely followed by Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, who earns €80,000 less.

Salary comparison throughout his career

After being named the best young player in Norway’s First Division, Orban moved to K.A.A. Gent, where his salary skyrocketed nearly 18-fold. His performances in the UEFA Europa Conference League with the Belgian club secured a transfer to Olympique Lyonnais, where his earnings more than doubled. Following his move to the Bundesliga in 2025, the Nigerian’s salary rose by €260,000, a significant sum that underscores the value Hoffenheim sees in him as he looks to rebuild his career.

Market value: a steady decline after moving to Olympique Lyonnais

In his very first season at the professional level, Orban not only became the tournament’s top scorer but also helped Stabaek Fotball gain promotion to Norway’s elite division. Consequently, his transfer value increased tenfold. A standout debut season at K.A.A. Gent further boosted his transfer fee by 20 times, reaching its peak. However, after transferring to France, the striker lost his regular starting position and consistently struggled to score. As a result, by the time he moved to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, his value had diminished by half.

National team

Gift Emmanuel Orban is the son of a Nigerian father and a Togolese mother, granting him the opportunity to represent either national team. For a time, both football federations were competing for the young, promising striker. However, as of now, Orban has yet to receive a call-up from either the Nigeria or Togo national teams.

Prospects

Gift Emmanuel Orban began the 2024/2025 season in France. Unfortunately, in the first six months, he played only five matches for Olympique Lyonnais, prompting a winter transfer to Germany in search of a fresh start. At his new club, he has started to receive more playing time and has already shown glimpses of his potential. This move represents an opportunity for Orban to revitalize his career, and if he can help TSG 1899 Hoffenheim secure their place in the Bundesliga, he could not only become a more significant player in the starting lineup but also catch the attention of national team coaches once again.