Gift Orban Loses His Place As Belgium’s Most Valuable Player

Nigerian striker, Gift Orban is losing his hold on the Belgian Jupiler Pro League so far this season as he has lost his place as the most valuable player in the league.

Unlike last season when Gift Orba was arguably the most talked about and sought-after footballer in Belgium, the 21-year-old Nigeria international is gradually becoming less important in the league.

Orban is currently experiencing his worst goal drought of his career after failing to score in nine straight games—six in the Jupiler Pro League, two in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds, and one in the Europa Conference League group stage.

The striker has only scored twice in nine league games this season (six in 15 games overall), compared to an amazing 45 goals in 61 games since moving to Europe more than a year ago.

Before his form dropped this bad, he was the most valuable player in Belgium as of June 2023, and was valued at €20 million, according to German football statistics website Transfermarkt.

However, Orban who is currently contracted to Belgian side Genk until 2027 is no longer the most valuable player in the country. He has lost the title to Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermeeren of Antwerp who is valued at €25 million, five million euros more than the Nigerian.

Antonio Nusa, a Nigerian-born Norwegian forward who is currently valued at €20 million, is the second most valuable player in Belgium.

The value of Club Brugge forward Nusa, who has played in 13 games across all competitions and already contributed two goals and three assists, has reportedly increased by €16 million.

Orban is now the third-most expensive player in Belgium as he has seen a steady decline in his stellar career at Genk following his failure to secure the anticipated high-profile transfer during the last summer transfer window.

Bilal El Khannouss and Andreas Olsen complete the list of the top five players in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. According to Transfermarkt, Olsen and El Khannouss are worth €18 million each.