Taiwo Awoniyi leaves Nottingham Forest for Premier League rivals as deal confirmed

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has completed his move to Coventry City.

Awoniyi, who signed for Forest in 2022, has completed a medical and joined Coventry in a £9million deal.

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The Nigeria international is delighted to have made the move, telling the club’s website: “I’m very happy to complete my move to Coventry City.

“I am very excited about this season, and I can’t wait to get started.

“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 and get started for the new season.”

Coventry manager Frank Lampard is said to have had a big say in signing the forward, pushing to get a move over the line.

Awoniyi featured regularly for Forest during pre-season, scoring one goal under new boss Oliver Glasner in recent weeks.

But a 45-minute appearance against Bayer Leverkusen proved to be his final appearance for the club.

Awoniyi on the move

Awoniyi was not guaranteed to be playing first-team football under Glasner this season, due to his many attacking options.

Chris Wood, Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye and Arnaud Kalimuendo are all players who can lead the line for Forest.

So, the 29-year-old forward is making a move to their Midlands rivals, joining up with Lampard and Coventry.

Awoniyi will depart Forest after making 103 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals and providing six assists altogether.

Last season, he played 17 Premier League games but started just three, scoring four goals and setting up one.

He was also left out of their Europa League squad, sitting out of all of their games played on the continent.

Coventry’s summer business so far

Championship winners Coventry have already made six summer signings, breaking their transfer record multiple times.

Ahead of the Premier League campaign, midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi joined the club for £23.1million from Nordsjaelland.

Yirenkyi’s move broke the Sky Blues’ record, just as Carl Rushworth’s permanent switch from Brighton did beforehand.

They have also re-signed Gustavo Hamer from Sheffield United and added Loum Tchaouna and Aurele Amenda to the squad.

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Frank Onyeka has also joined permanently from Brentford.

Awoniyi is the next through the door, joining Haji Wright, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms in attack.

Wright is suffering from an injury heading into the season, having missed Coventry’s entire build-up to the campaign.

So, Awoniyi may well see some game time straight after his move if Lampard wants him leading the line.

The Sky Blues take on Premier League champions Arsenal in their opening game on Friday, August 21.

talkSPORT will have live commentary of the game from Jim Proudfoot and former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew.

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