Taiwo Awoniyi has said goodbye to Nottingham Forest and is set to complete his transfer to newly promoted EPL club Coventry City. The Kwara native has been given permission to undergo his medicals, and will become the second Nigerian at Coventry, joining Super Eagles colleague Frank Onyeka at last season’s Championship winners. Ahead of his transfer, the 29-year-old was treated to a farewell by the club before the second half of their final pre-season match against French Ligue 1 club Stade Brest at the City Ground. Awoniyi was given a guard of honour and was lifted in the air by players and staff, with the fans joining the fun as they celebrated a striker whose attacking contributions ensured Forest escaped relegation in his debut season. He embarked on a late-season scoring streak including an historic 19th-minute winner in Forest’s 1–0 win over Arsenal that mathematically guaranteed Forest’s EPL survival in May 2023. Forest new coach Oliver Glasner described Awoniyi’s popularity at the club, and the farewell gesture was the result of his dedication to the club in his four years at the club. “Everybody in the club likes him and I could see everybody in the stand likes him because this is what everybody appreciates. He always gives 100% for the team, he always gives 100% for the bench, and that’s why he deserves such a farewell, such a guard of honour. “That’s why we decided we would give it to him and I wish him all the best at his next club, just not when they play us.” Awoniyi will look to complete his Coventry move early in the week for a chance to feature in the opening EPL match of the season against Arsenal at the Emirates stadium on Friday, August 21.
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