“I put my hand in the fire for him”

Orban was playing in the Norwegian second division four months ago, but he is now making waves in the Belgian top division 

Gent’s head of recruitment strategy Samuel Cardenas has admitted that pushing the club to pay €3.3million for Gift Orban was a risky move for him Soccernet.ng reports.

Orban has taken Europe by storm since his €3.3million move to Gent in January. He has scored twelve goals in 14 appearances for the Buffaloes, and his performances have helped them into the playoffs.

His skill, ability to peel away from defenders, shooting accuracy, and speed are clear pointers to the fact that Orban is a gifted footballer.

The 20-year-old has justified the fee Gent paid for him in January, and he has already started getting linked to bigger clubs.

However, Gent chief Cardenas has admitted that Orban may not have been playing for the club if he did not put his neck on the line.

“I watched Orban on video, and then he popped up in the data soon after,” Cardenas told The Athletic.

“I have a good network in Norway, so I got onto it quite quickly with him. We saw him for the first time in August and we were concrete to sign him in October.”

“We don’t have the most money. In Belgium, we are a top club and have a good budget, but when we look at young players outside of Belgium, there will always be a richer club knocking at the door.”

“I put my hand in the fire for him. It was a huge risk, not just professionally but personally.

“I pushed for him a lot, for three months. But the only way that you can do deals like this is to be brave and to be trusted.”

Orban has stated that his target is to play in the English Premier League. And if he continues with his brilliance, he could get his wish next summer.

He has already been linked with Leeds United. If he eventually leaves, it would be a win for him and Gent because they would make a huge profit from the sale.