Players, staff, and fans of Nottingham Forest gave striker Taiwo Awoniyi a warm send-off on Sunday. This happened after the club confirmed his move to newly promoted Premier League team Coventry City.
Coventry struck a deal worth about £17 million for Awoniyi on Saturday. They are busy making signings as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. The Sky Blues plan to finalize this deal before their first match against Arsenal on Friday.
Awoniyi received a guard of honour on Sunday. Nottingham Forest finished their 2026 pre-season with a 2-0 victory over Stade Brestois 29 at the City Ground.
Awoniyi became Forest's record signing when he joined from Union Berlin in 2022 for £17.2 million. The 29-year-old scored 23 goals in 103 matches for the club. However, he fell behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the team and was left out of Forest's Europa League squad last season.
Last season, Awoniyi started just three games, scoring four goals in 17 matches across all competitions. In May 2025, he went into an induced coma after suffering a ruptured intestine. This injury happened when he collided with a post during a match against Leicester City.
Coventry is gearing up to return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years. They have strengthened their squad with new players. This includes Gus Hamer from Sheffield United, goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton, winger Loum Tchaouna from Burnley, defender Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi from Nordsjaelland.
With striker Haji Wright currently injured, manager Frank Lampard has Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms as his fit striking options for the season opener.
Coventry has also signed Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka from Brentford. He had a successful loan spell in the Championship last season, which means he will reunite with Awoniyi at the club.
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