Why Taiwo Awoniyi has chosen Coventry City for another Premier League push

Taiwo Awoniyi’s desire to remain in England and pursue further Premier League ambitions is understood to be the main reason behind his decision to join newly promoted Coventry City after four seasons with Nottingham Forest.

The Nigeria international is preparing to begin a new chapter with Coventry, known as the Bantams, having decided that continuing his career in England is more important than accepting financially attractive offers from clubs abroad.

A person close to the 29-year-old told Footy-Africa that Awoniyi remains strongly committed to the Premier League and believes he still has significant targets to achieve in the competition.

His family is also well settled in the United Kingdom. That stability is understood to have influenced his decision to reject proposals from overseas and remain in English football.

Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 and quickly became an important figure in the club’s attack. However, a succession of injuries, combined with a decline in form, gradually limited his involvement and saw him fall down the pecking order among Forest’s forwards at the City Ground.

The striker made 17 appearances for Nottingham Forest last season, scoring four goals and providing one assist. He remains under contract with the Tricky Trees until 30 June 2027.

Awoniyi, who was born in Ilorin, is currently valued at €8m by Transfermarkt. His reported annual salary is €2,992,948, equivalent to 1,945,416,200 FCFA.

A move to Coventry would offer the Nigeria international an opportunity to continue playing in the Premier League while seeking to revive the momentum he built after arriving at Forest. His decision is therefore being presented primarily as a sporting and personal choice, rather than one driven by the most lucrative financial offer.

Nottingham Forest are due to begin their English league campaign against Leeds United. The match is listed with odds of 2.10 for a Forest victory, 3.25 for a draw and 3.05 for a Leeds United win, according to betting company 1xBet. The source article also included a reference to downloading the 1xBet application.

Awoniyi’s departure would bring an end to his four-season association with Nottingham Forest, where his progress was affected by fitness problems and reduced playing time. Coventry’s interest gives him the chance to stay in England and compete at the highest domestic level, while maintaining the family base he has established in the UK.