What Became of the 'Star' Signings Your Club Missed Out On?

The arrival of the transfer window always creates a wave of excitement among supporters.

When your club is associated with a high-profile player, it is easy to imagine that signing inspiring the team to major success.

Tottenham supporters may have shared that optimism several years ago when the club was heavily linked with Gift Orban, a prolific young Nigerian forward.

Based on his record at the time, there was plenty of reason for enthusiasm.

During the summer of 2023, the then 21-year-old Orban was considered one of football’s most promising emerging talents.

He struck 16 goals in 22 appearances for Norwegian top-flight club Stabaek before joining Gent in Belgium, where he maintained his outstanding form by scoring 20 times in his first 22 matches.

Across an extraordinary four-day spell in March 2023, Orban registered seven goals in just two games. Four came during a 6–2 league victory away to Zulte Waregem, making him Gent’s first player in the 21st century to score four times in a single match.

He then delivered a rapid hat-trick as Gent earned a 4–1 away win against Istanbul Basaksehir in the last 16 of the Conference League.

Orban completed those three goals in only three minutes and 25 seconds, setting what was then a record for a Uefa club competition.