Gift Orban, the Nigerian international, has openly shared the difficulties he faced at the start of his journey with Olympique Lyon after joining the Ligue 1 club in the winter.
Reflecting on his initial season with the club, the 22-year-old expressed that it was tough for him to adapt to the environment at the Groupama Stadium. Orban had recently shone at Belgian side Gent before making a €12m move to the seven-time Ligue 1 champions in January 2024.
Despite scoring just three goals in 16 appearances across various competitions, higher expectations were set for the Nigerian player upon his arrival at Lyon.
Orban recognized the challenges he faced in adjusting but now feels more settled and eager to contribute to Lyon’s quest to regain their status as a top European team.
“Arriving at a new club and adapting to a new manager and environment was tough initially,” Orban remarked. “Limited playing time added to the challenge, but that’s part of the game. I will persist and continue to work hard.
“The French league is demanding and physical, but I won’t make excuses—I am here to give my best. My relationship with my manager, Pierre Sage, is excellent, based on mutual respect.”
Lyon suffered a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal in the recent Emirates Cup clash, but Orban emphasized the team’s determination to have a successful season.
“The loss to Arsenal was disappointing, but it was a tough game against a strong opponent,” Orban noted.
“Despite giving our all, we fell short. That’s football, but we have moved on from that defeat.
“We will continue to work hard as our primary goal is to ensure we have a fantastic season.”