Transfer: Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City, it's official

Taiwo Awoniyi is officially a Coventry City player. The 29-year-old Nigerian striker leaves Nottingham Forest after four seasons at the City Ground to join the newly promoted Premier League side, who are counting on his experience to bolster their attacking line. The transfer fee is reported to be £9 million, as Coventry prepare for their return to the English top flight after a 25-year absence.

The departure of the Nigerian international marks the end of an adventure filled with memorable moments. Awoniyi arrived at Forest in the summer of 2022 from Union Berlin for £17.2 million, making him the club's record signing at the time. Over four seasons, he played 103 matches and scored 23 goals, along with five assists, according to figures released at the time of his departure.

His debut Premier League campaign particularly caught the eye. In 2022-2023, he netted 10 league goals, helping Forest secure survival after their return to the top tier. The following season, he found the back of the net six more times in the Premier League before enduring more physically and sportingly challenging campaigns.

Last season saw his playing time significantly reduced. Awoniyi made 17 Premier League appearances and scored four goals, starting only three times. The competition from Chris Wood and Igor Jesus gradually pushed him out of the first team.

A new chance under Frank Lampard

Taiwo Awoniyi arrives in a new context, bearing greater attacking responsibility. The club has just regained Premier League status and has been particularly active in the transfer market. The Nigerian's arrival comes as Haji Wright is sidelined by injury, leaving Frank Lampard with limited attacking options ahead of the new campaign.

Coventry's new striker did not hide his excitement upon joining the club. "I'm really looking forward to working with my new teammates," he said, referencing Coventry's remarkable Championship season prior to promotion. His experience in English top-flight football is a valuable asset for a team gearing up for its return to the elite level.

From Liverpool to Coventry, a career shaped by loans

Trained in Nigeria at the Imperial Soccer Academy, Awoniyi joined Liverpool in 2015, but never made a first-team appearance. He then embarked on a series of loan spells, notably at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron, Gent, and Mainz.

It was at Union Berlin where he truly made his breakthrough. After an initial loan season in 2020-2021, he signed permanently in Germany and netted 15 Bundesliga goals in the 2021-2022 season. That performance opened the door to Nottingham Forest, where he became one of the faces of the club’s Premier League return.

However, his stint at Forest was disrupted by a serious injury in May 2025, when he suffered an intestinal rupture after colliding with a post against Leicester. After this difficult period, his move to Coventry now represents a fresh opportunity to regain a central role in a Premier League project.

At Coventry, Awoniyi will need to quickly rediscover his scoring touch to help the promoted side in their ambitious return to the top flight. With his Premier League experience and powerful number 9 profile, Frank Lampard will be hoping he’s found an extra weapon to take on this new challenge.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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