Nottingham Forest make Awoniyi record signing
Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has joined newly promoted English Premier League Nottingham Forest. Awoniyi signed a five year deal with Nottingham Forest, a statement by the club said yesterday.
Awoniyi scored 20 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season and becomes Forest’s first signing since gaining promotion back to the Premier League.
“It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League,” said Awoniyi.
“Having spoken to [Forest boss] Steve Cooper about our ambitions and looking at Forest, with its great history, it’s a club that I want to be part of.”
“Nottingham Forest are delighted to confirm the signing of Nigerian international forward Taiwo Awoniyi for a club record fee,” the club said.
“I’m very excited to be here at Nottingham Forest,” Awoniyi was quoted to have said in the statement.
Awoniyi, 24, joins Nottingham
Forest from Bundesliga club Union Berlin, where he scored 20 goals in 43 games in all competitions last season.
His crucial role helped Union Berlin finish fifth-place, qualifying for the UEFA Europa League for the first time since 2001/2002.
Awoniyi’s professional career began at Liverpool in 2015. He was on loan to FSV Frankfurt, NEC, Mouscron, Gent and Mainz 05, before joining Union Berlin.
Since making his senior debut for Nigeria in October, the striker has made four appearances and scored his first goal for his nation against Sudan in January at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Forest are expected to sign goalkeeper Dean Henderson, 25, on loan from Manchester United this summer and are also in talks to sign central defender Moussa Niakhate, 26, from Mainz.