Coventry sign Forest striker Awoniyi for £9m

WHAT HAPPENED
Coventry City have completed the signing of Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest for a reported £9m. The 29-year-old joined Coventry ahead of their Premier League opener at Arsenal, as the club return to England’s top tier after a 25-year absence.

Forest players and staff formed a guard of honour for Awoniyi during their final pre-season friendly to allow him to say farewell at the City Ground, where he spent the last four seasons.

KEY CONTEXT
Awoniyi arrived at Nottingham Forest in 2022 for a then-club-record fee of £17.2m after a spell with Union Berlin. During his time at Forest he scored 23 goals in 103 appearances but spent much of last season behind team-mates Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order, making only three starts and scoring four goals in 17 appearances overall. He was omitted from Forest’s Europa League squad last season.

In May 2025 Awoniyi suffered a serious in-game accident that led to him being placed in an induced coma after rupturing an intestine. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has since highlighted Awoniyi’s place in the club’s recent history.

Coventry have been active in the transfer market ahead of the new season, re-signing midfielder Gus Hamer and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, and adding Loum Tchaouna, Aurèle Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi. Their striker options prior to this deal included injured Haji Wright and the fit pair Brandon Thomas‑Asante and Ellis Simms.

WHY IT MATTERS
The signing gives Coventry an experienced Premier League striker with previous top-flight and European involvement, strengthening their attacking options as they prepare for the challenges of the Premier League. For Forest, it marks the departure of a player who had been a notable figure since his 2022 arrival.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Awoniyi will be included in Coventry’s matchday squad for the Arsenal opener remains to be confirmed.
- How quickly he integrates into Frank Lampard’s plans and whether his arrival changes the pecking order among Coventry’s forwards.
- Any details from Coventry or Forest about the terms of the transfer beyond the reported fee.

KEY FACTS
- Transfer: Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest to Coventry City for £9m.
- Age: 29.
- Forest record at signing time: joined in 2022 for £17.2m.
- Forest record: 23 goals in 103 games; 4 goals in 17 appearances last season with only three starts.
- Coventry’s other recent signings include Gus Hamer, Carl Rushworth, Loum Tchaouna, Aurèle Amenda and Caleb Yirenkyi; Haji Wright is injured, with Brandon Thomas‑Asante and Ellis Simms fit.