Nigeria striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has expressed his excitement after completing a £9m move from Nottingham Forest to newly promoted Premier League club Coventry City.
The 29-year-old finalised the permanent transfer on Monday after saying goodbye to his former Forest teammates at the City Ground following their final pre-season friendly against Stade Brestois 29 on Sunday.
Awoniyi spent four seasons with Forest, recording 21 Premier League goals in 90 appearances and 23 goals in 103 matches across all competitions.
His debut campaign at the City Ground proved particularly productive, as he scored 11 goals to help Forest retain their Premier League status and reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
He was also part of the Forest side that finished seventh in the 2024/25 Premier League season and secured European football.
Speaking about his move, 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.”
Awoniyi will link up with fellow Nigerian Frank Onyeka at Coventry, with the midfielder also joining the club from Brentford after spending last season on loan in the Championship.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis also paid tribute to Awoniyi following his departure.
The striker had arrived at the club in 2022 as their then-record signing for £17.2m.
“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 before gaining experience through loan spells at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron and KAA Gent.
He subsequently moved to the Bundesliga, joining Mainz 05 on loan before spending the 2020/21 season temporarily at Union Berlin.
His performances in Germany earned him a permanent move to Union Berlin in 2021, where he enjoyed his most prolific campaign, scoring 20 goals, including four in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
He now faces a fresh Premier League challenge with Coventry as the club prepares for life in the top flight.
