Awoniyi: I’m Excited For Coventry City Challenge, I Can’t Wait To Start

Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has expressed his excitement about joining Coventry City after completing a reported £9 million move from Nottingham Forest.

The 29-year-old is set to link up with Frank Lampard’s side ahead of their Premier League opener against champions Arsenal on Friday, as Coventry return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years.

“I am very excited about this season, and I can’t wait to get started,” Awoniyi said after completing the move.

“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.”
Awoniyi becomes Lampard’s latest signing following the arrivals of Gus Hamer, Carl Rushworth, Loum

Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi as Coventry prepare for their return to the Premier League.
The Nigerian international, who has won 10 caps for the Super Eagles, spent four seasons at Forest after joining the club in 2022.

He scored 23 goals in 103 appearances across all competitions but struggled for regular playing time last season.

Awoniyi’s time at Forest was also disrupted by a serious injury in May 2025, when he ruptured an intestine after colliding with a goalpost during a Premier League match against Leicester City and was placed in an induced coma.

He said goodbye to the City Ground on Sunday when Forest’s players gave him a guard of honour before their pre-season friendly against Brest.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis paid tribute to the Nigerian striker following his departure.

“Taiwo will always have a special place in the history of Nottingham Forest,” Marinakis said.

“He has been one of the defining figures in our journey and given our supporters moments of great joy that will never be forgotten.”

Awoniyi now begins a new chapter with Coventry, with his first opportunity to make an impression coming against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.