Awoniyi joins Coventry to stay in England and revive Premier League career

Taiwo Awoniyi, 29, has joined newly promoted Coventry City after deciding to remain in England. He made 18 appearances in all competitions for Nottingham Forest last season and scored four goals.

The Nigeria international’s main motivation was to continue playing in the Premier League rather than accept interest from clubs abroad. His family is settled in the United Kingdom, while he believes he still has unfinished business in England’s top flight.

Awoniyi’s opportunities at Forest declined after the club added more attacking options. He also endured fitness problems, including a serious abdominal injury suffered against Leicester City in 2025. The injury required surgery and a period in an induced coma, and although he returned to action, he did not regain a regular starting role.

His four goals last season included two against Chelsea in May, helping Forest to victory. Awoniyi had previously produced one of his strongest spells during the 2023-24 campaign, when he scored in seven successive Premier League matches to surpass Stan Collymore’s Forest record of six consecutive league games, set in 1995.

Coventry’s recent form gives Awoniyi an attacking side in good condition for their return to the Premier League. They are unbeaten in their last five matches, with wins over Watford, Wrexham and Portsmouth and draws against Northampton Town and Blackburn, scoring 13 goals and conceding three across that run.

The move also reunites Awoniyi with fellow Nigeria international Frank Onyeka, who joined Coventry permanently after a successful loan spell. Awoniyi’s first listed Premier League fixture with his new club is away to reigning champions Arsenal on August 21, 2026, when Coventry begin their first top-flight campaign in 25 years.