Taiwo Awoniyi’s move to Coventry City has come with excitement, emotion and a reminder of just how far the Nigerian striker has travelled to remain at the top of the game.
After four memorable years at Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi has joined newly promoted Coventry City in a deal widely reported at around £9 million, giving the Super Eagles striker a fresh start ahead of another Premier League campaign.
But before beginning his new journey, Nottingham Forest made sure their Nigerian striker left with a moment to remember.
A Farewell Fit For A Forest Favourite
Ahead of Forest’s final pre-season match against Brest, Awoniyi was given an emotional guard of honour by his teammates and club staff at the City Ground. The gesture reflected the affection built during his time at the club, where he made 103 appearances, scored 23 goals and provided six assists.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner said Awoniyi deserved the send-off, describing his contribution and commitment to the club as deserving of recognition.
Awoniyi leaves behind some memorable moments, including his winner against Arsenal in 2023 that helped secure Nottingham Forest’s Premier League survival.
And after years at the City Ground, the goodbye was clearly more than a routine transfer.
“Super Eagles Don Land”
Coventry City wasted no time introducing their new Nigerian signing.
In the announcement that immediately caught the attention of Nigerian football fans, Awoniyi declared:
“Super Eagles don land, it had to be Cov.”
The line perfectly captured the excitement around his arrival.
And he will not be the only Nigerian in the Coventry dressing room.
Awoniyi joins fellow Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka, giving Nigerian fans another reason to keep an eye on Coventry City’s Premier League journey this season.
The Long Road To This New Beginning
Awoniyi’s career has never followed the easiest path.
From a young footballer in Nigeria who reportedly had to repair and sew damaged boots to continue playing, he went on to represent Nigeria at youth level before earning a move to Liverpool in 2015.
Yet, signing for one of England’s biggest clubs did not immediately bring him the breakthrough he had hoped for.
Work permit challenges meant Awoniyi was sent on a remarkable series of loan spells across Europe, playing in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. He represented clubs including FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron, KAA Gent, Mainz and Union Berlin, before eventually finding his breakthrough in Germany.
It was at Union Berlin that Awoniyi established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s exciting strikers and earned his move to Nottingham Forest.
A Fight Back Bigger Than Football
His latest transfer also comes after one of the most difficult periods of his career.
In May 2025, Awoniyi suffered a serious abdominal injury after colliding with a goalpost during a Premier League match against Leicester City. He underwent surgery and was placed in an induced coma before recovering.
For a player whose journey has already included financial struggles, years of loan spells, injuries and uncertainty, it was another enormous challenge.
Yet Awoniyi returned to football.
Now, he is starting again.
At 29, the Nigerian striker arrives at Coventry with experience from the Premier League, Bundesliga and years of international football. His recent spell at Forest had become more difficult, with limited starts and uncertainty over his role, making Coventry an opportunity for a genuine fresh start.
From a young Nigerian footballer repairing his boots, to Liverpool, seven loan spells across Europe, a Premier League survival hero, a serious health scare and now an emotional farewell followed by a new beginning, Awoniyi’s career has been built on resilience.
And as Coventry City prepare for life back in the Premier League, one thing is clear.
The Super Eagle has landed. And a new chapter has officially begun.
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