Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi is on the verge of joining newly promoted Premier League side Coventry City, bringing an end to his four-year spell at Nottingham Forest.
A source close to the player has exclusively told Footy-Africa that Awoniyi’s desire to remain in England played a major role in his decision to join Coventry.
“Taiwo loves England and has always made it clear that he would prefer to remain in the country despite receiving offers from abroad,” the source said. “He loves the Premier League and feels he still has unfinished business in the league. That is why he did not pursue some of the interest from overseas.”
“His family is settled here in the UK, and he did not feel it was necessary to pack up and leave at this stage of his career. Coventry offered him a good deal and, most importantly, the opportunity to continue playing in the Premier League, which is what he has wanted for a long time.”
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“That was the main reason he decided to leave Forest. He knows it will be emotional to leave the City Ground, but he still has plenty of goals in him, and Coventry can give him a better opportunity to achieve them.”
Awoniyi joined Forest ahead of the 2022/23 season after making the move from German side Union Berlin and quickly established himself as an important part of the club’s attack.
However, injuries and a dip in form have limited his opportunities in recent seasons, with the striker falling down the pecking order at the City Ground.
The 29-year-old, valued at around £8 million by Transfermarkt, has attracted interest from several clubs during the last three transfer windows but remained at Forest as he looked to fight for his place.
There was interest from clubs including Turkish side Rizespor, as well as Premier League outfits Brentford and West Ham, but none of those approaches resulted in a move.
Coventry’s emergence has now provided Awoniyi with an opportunity to remain in England while continuing his Premier League career.
Awoniyi made 17 appearances for Forest last season, scoring four goals and providing one assist.
The Nigerian will now hope for a fresh start at Coventry, where he is expected to link up with compatriot Frank Onyeka and compete for a regular starting role as the club prepares for life back in the Premier League.
