Awoniyi excited for Coventry challenge after £9m move

Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has expressed excitement about joining newly promoted Premier League side Coventry City after completing a reported £9m permanent transfer from Nottingham Forest.

Awoniyi completed the move on Monday after saying farewell to his former teammates at the City Ground following Forest’s final pre-season friendly against Stade Brestois 29.

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The 29-year-old spent four seasons with Forest, scoring 21 Premier League goals in 90 appearances and 23 goals in 103 games across all competitions.

He joined Forest in 2022 for a club-record £17.2m and enjoyed a strong debut campaign, scoring 11 goals to help the club avoid relegation and reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Awoniyi was also part of the Forest side that finished seventh in the 2024/25 season and secured European football.

Speaking about his move to Coventry, the striker said he was eager to begin the new chapter of his career.

“I’m very happy to complete my move to Coventry City,” Awoniyi said.

“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 reunite with fellow Nigerian Frank Onyeka at Coventry after the midfielder also joined the club from Brentford following a successful loan spell in the Championship.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis thanked the Nigerian striker for his contribution to the club and wished him well at Coventry.

“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 said.

Awoniyi began his professional career at Liverpool before spending time on loan at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron and Gent.

He later moved to the Bundesliga, joining Mainz on loan before spending the 2020/21 season with Union Berlin.

His impressive performances in Germany earned him a permanent move to Union Berlin in 2021, where he enjoyed his most prolific season, scoring 20 goals, including four in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Awoniyi will now look to rediscover his best form and help Coventry establish themselves in the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship.