Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi is set to leave Nottingham Forest and join newly promoted Coventry City in a permanent transfer, with the striker undergoing his medical ahead of a move that could give Frank Lampard another experienced attacking option for the new Premier League season.
The agreement between Coventry and Forest has reportedly been completed, with Awoniyi now going through the final stages of the transfer. The 29 year old forward is expected to complete his medical before formally becoming a Coventry player. The move brings an end to his four year spell at the City Ground, where he became an important figure in Forest’s return to and survival in the Premier League.
Awoniyi’s arrival represents an ambitious move for Coventry, who secured promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship last season. Lampard is building a squad capable of competing at the highest level, and the Nigerian’s experience in England and Germany could prove particularly valuable as Coventry prepare for the demands of top flight football.
The timing of the transfer could also work in Awoniyi’s favour. Coventry are dealing with an injury to striker Haji Wright, meaning the Nigerian forward could quickly find himself competing for a prominent role in Lampard’s attack. Coventry’s opening Premier League fixture is against reigning champions Arsenal on August 21, although whether Awoniyi will be available for that match depends on the completion of the formalities surrounding his transfer.
Awoniyi leaves Nottingham Forest having made a significant contribution since joining the club in 2022. Forest signed him from Union Berlin after their promotion to the Premier League, reportedly paying a club record fee at the time. His arrival was seen as an important part of the club’s efforts to establish themselves in England’s top division.
His first season at Forest immediately demonstrated his ability to make an impact.
Awoniyi scored 10 Premier League goals during the 2022/23 campaign, including a memorable winner against Liverpool and the decisive goal against Arsenal that helped Forest secure Premier League survival. His late season form was particularly impressive, with the striker finding the net repeatedly as Forest battled to remain in the division.
Across his Forest career, Awoniyi made more than 100 senior appearances and scored 23 goals, according to current reports. His time at the club was affected by injuries and increasing competition for attacking places, but his physical presence, pace and ability to attack the penalty area made him a useful option whenever fully fit.
The Nigerian’s journey to the Premier League was far from straightforward.
Awoniyi joined Liverpool in 2015 after developing at the Imperial Soccer Academy in Nigeria. However, work permit restrictions prevented him from immediately playing for the English club, leading to a lengthy series of loan spells across Europe.
He gained experience with FSV Frankfurt in Germany, NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands, Mouscron and Gent in Belgium, Mainz in the Bundesliga and eventually Union Berlin.
It was at Union Berlin that Awoniyi truly established himself as a prolific senior striker.
His 2021/22 campaign was particularly outstanding. He scored 15 Bundesliga goals as Union enjoyed an impressive season, while he finished the campaign with 20 goals in 43 appearances across competitions. Those performances convinced Forest to make their move for him and finally gave the Nigerian the opportunity to fulfil his long standing ambition of playing regularly in the Premier League.
Awoniyi has also enjoyed success at international level.
The Ilorin born forward progressed through Nigeria’s youth teams before making his Super Eagles debut in 2021. He was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and has scored twice for the senior national team.
His playing style is built around strength, movement and direct attacking. At his best, Awoniyi is capable of holding off defenders, running into space and using his physicality inside the penalty area. His Bundesliga experience also exposed him to a tactical style that places considerable emphasis on movement and pressing.
That experience could become valuable for Coventry.
Lampard will need his attacking players to adapt quickly to the intensity of Premier League football, and Awoniyi already understands the demands of the competition. His previous Premier League experience should allow him to settle into Coventry’s system faster than a player arriving from another league.
The transfer also provides Awoniyi with an opportunity to revive his career after a difficult period at Forest.
Last season, he started only three of his 17 Premier League appearances and was left out of Forest’s Europa League squad. Despite making an encouraging impression during pre season, competition for places under manager Oliver Glasner meant that regular first team football was not guaranteed.
A permanent move to Coventry could therefore provide the Nigerian with exactly what he needs: regular opportunities, responsibility and a manager prepared to place his trust in him.
For Coventry, the signing sends a strong message about their ambitions.
Rather than relying solely on younger players following promotion, the club are adding experienced footballers capable of handling the pressure of Premier League competition. Awoniyi’s record in England and Germany makes him one of the more experienced additions to Lampard’s squad.
The striker will now hope that the move marks the beginning of another productive chapter.
After battling through several loan spells, establishing himself in Germany, returning to England and helping Nottingham Forest survive in the Premier League, Awoniyi now has another chance to prove his quality.
Coventry supporters will be hoping the powerful Nigerian forward can rediscover the goalscoring form that made him such a dangerous striker at Union Berlin and during his early Forest career.
If his medical is completed successfully and the final paperwork is concluded, Awoniyi will become a Coventry City player and begin preparations for another Premier League campaign.
For Nigerian football fans, the move will also provide another reason to follow Coventry closely as one of the country’s leading strikers begins a fresh challenge under Lampard.
