Awoniyi at Coventry gives the 29-year-old Nigerian striker a fresh start as Frank Lampard backs him to make a strong Premier League impact

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard said on Thursday, August 20, 2026, that Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi moved from Nottingham Forest to Coventry City in search of regular playing time and assured the forward that the club would support him as he begins a new chapter.

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Awoniyi, 29, joined Coventry in a deal reportedly worth about £9m after four seasons at Forest, where competition for places limited his opportunities towards the end of his stay.

Lampard said Awoniyi’s frustration over a lack of minutes could prove useful as Coventry prepare for their return to the Premier League.

“There is a reason why Taiwo left Nottingham Forest and came to us. We really like him and hope he’s going to be great for us,” Lampard said.

“We have to look after him and prepare him. But I like a player that wants to be the man and play more minutes.”

The former Chelsea midfielder believes Awoniyi’s experience in the Premier League, physical strength and ability to hold up the ball will give Coventry another dimension in attack.

“When you look across our recruitment idea, we wanted to bring in Premier League experience. Power and strength, a player that can hold the ball up and I think he is very valuable,” Lampard said.

Awoniyi has also made clear what he wants to bring to his new club: goals and a strong work ethic.

“I think for sure, goals. Like I said, goals and hard work as well,” the Nigeria international said.

His move to Coventry gives him an opportunity to rebuild his momentum after a difficult spell towards the end of his Forest career.

Awoniyi joined Forest in 2022 after leaving Union Berlin and made an immediate impact, scoring 11 goals in his first season as the club fought to avoid relegation and reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Across four seasons at the City Ground, he scored 23 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions.

Awoniyi was also part of the Forest side that finished seventh in the 2024/25 Premier League season and secured European football, adding valuable top-flight experience to a Coventry squad preparing for the demands of another Premier League campaign.

The striker has spoken about the influence of some of football’s most celebrated forwards on his own game.

Among those he studies are former Nigeria striker Rashidi Yekini, as well as Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba.

“When I watch the video clip of the late Rashidi Yekini of Nigeria and Thierry Henry and, of course, Didier Drogba,” Awoniyi said.

His next challenge will be to turn that inspiration into goals for Coventry.

The move will also see Awoniyi reunite with fellow Nigerian Frank Onyeka, with the pair expected to contribute to Lampard’s side as Coventry return to the Premier League.

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For Lampard, Awoniyi’s hunger for regular football is an encouraging sign. The manager now hopes that desire, combined with the striker’s experience and physical qualities, can translate into a productive campaign.