Nigeria striker Gift Orban is set to return to TSG Hoffenheim at the end of the season after Hellas Verona decided against triggering the purchase option in his loan deal.
Gift Orban moved to the Serie A side last summer in search of regular playing time. The agreement between both clubs included a clause that would allow Verona sign the forward permanently.
However, German newspaper BILD reports that the Italian club have chosen not to activate the option as they prepare for a difficult summer shaped by their relegation battle.
The 23-year-old finishes the campaign as Verona’s top scorer, registering seven goals and two assists in 28 league appearances. Yet his strong start faded during the second half of the season. Orban has not scored in nearly three months, a run that coincided with the club’s slide towards the bottom of the table.
Off-field controversy also clouded the striker’s loan spell. Following Verona’s 1-0 home defeat to AC Milan, Orban was involved in a confrontation with a supporter outside the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the incident began after the player declined a request for a photo while leaving the ground. The fan allegedly struck his car, prompting the forward to step out and a physical scuffle followed. Orban later apologised for the incident.
Former striker Gianmarco Zigoni criticised the Nigerian’s reaction, urging players to show restraint in tense moments.
“This was an unacceptable act. I feel very sorry for everyone involved,” Zigoni told Tuttomercatoweb.
“It’s clear that Orban was very nervous, but a player should always be proud of the fans’ support, even more so when things are bad like they are for Verona.
“You might feel down, you might just want to leave, but the fans are there for the team, for the passion, for the love they have for Hellas Verona. They’re there for you too and you should be grateful.”
Orban remains under contract with Hoffenheim until 2029 after completing a €9 million move from Olympique Lyonnais in January 2025. He is now expected to rejoin the Bundesliga club for pre-season as both sides assess his next move ahead of the new campaign.
