Coventry City lands Taiwo Awoniyi from Premier League Nottingham Forest

Nigeria international striker Taiwo Awoniyi is set to leave Nottingham Forest after four years, joining Premier League rivals Coventry City on a permanent deal, with a medical already underway. The 29‑year‑old forward has made 103 appearances for Forest, scoring 23 goals and providing six assists.

Why Coventry pursued Awoniyi

Coventry manager Frank Lampard played a decisive role in securing the forward, pushing to get the move over the line. The Sky Blues have already broken their transfer record multiple times this summer, signing Caleb Yirenkyi for £23.1 million, Carl Rushworth permanently, and adding Gustavo Hamer, Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Frank Onyeka. Awoniyi joins an attacking line that already features Haji Wright, Brandon Thomas‑Asante and Ellis Simms, reinforcing a squad built for Premier League competition.

What the move means for Forest and Coventry

At Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi was not guaranteed first‑team football under new boss Oliver Glasner, competing with Chris Wood, Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye and Arnaud Kalimuendo. He featured in pre‑season, scoring once and making a 45‑minute appearance against Bayer Leverkusen in the club’s final friendly. His departure removes a player who logged 103 games, 23 goals and six assists for Forest, including 17 Premier League matches last season where he started three times, scored four goals and recorded one assist.

For Coventry, the transfer could see Awoniyi debut within a week, especially as striker Haji Wright is nursing an injury. The club’s opening Premier League fixture is against Arsenal on Friday, 21 August, and TalkSPORT will broadcast the match on 1089 AM. The addition of Awoniyi gives Lampard a proven Nigeria international to lead the line as the Sky Blues aim to cement their top‑flight status.

Nottingham Forest will lose a forward with considerable experience, narrowing their attacking options ahead of the new season. The club will rely on its remaining strikers and midfielders to fill the void left by Awoniyi’s exit.

Getty images captured the Nigeria international departing the City Ground, underscoring the significance of the move for both clubs as the Premier League campaign approaches.