Awoniyi fired up for Coventry after £9m move
August 18, 2026 1:46 am
File: Taiwo Awoniyi
Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has joined newly promoted Premier League side Coventry City on a permanent transfer from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth about £9m, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Awoniyi completed the switch on Monday after bidding farewell to his former teammates at the City Ground on Sunday during their final pre-season friendly against Stade Brestois 29.
The 29-year-old striker spent the last four seasons in the Premier League with Forest, scoring 21 league goals in 90 appearances and 23 goals in 103 games across all competitions.
The Nigerian netted 11 goals in his first campaign at the City Ground to help Forest avoid relegation in their first season back in the top flight and reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
He was also part of the team that finished seventh and qualified for European football in the 2024/25 season, establishing himself as an important member of the squad.
Reflecting on his new challenge with Coventry, Awoniyi said, “I’m very happy to complete my move to Coventry City.
“I am very excited about this season, and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’m really looking forward to working with my new teammates. I have seen how amazing they have been last season, coming up from the Championship. They were incredible, and now I am just excited to join them and get started for the new season.”
Coventry have also signed Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka from Brentford following his successful loan spell in the Championship last season, setting up a reunion with Awoniyi at the club.
Meanwhile, Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis also a had farewell message for the Nigerian, who became their club record signing for £17.2m in the summer of 2022.
“We thank Taiwo for everything he has given to this Club. He leaves with our gratitude, our respect and our very best wishes for the future. He will always be part of the Forest family and will always be welcomed home,” Marinakis’s message read.
Awoniyi began his professional career at Liverpool and gained experience on loan at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron and KAA Gent.
His exploits earned him a move to the Bundesliga, where he joined Mainz 05 on loan for the 2019/20 season before another temporary spell at 1. FC Union Berlin in the 2020/21 campaign.
Awoniyi impressed during his time in Berlin, prompting Die Eisernen to sign him permanently in the summer of 2021.
He went on to enjoy his best scoring season with Union Berlin, bagging 20 goals, including four in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years
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