Taiwo Awoniyi Coventry move gathers pace as the Nigeria striker bids farewell to Nottingham Forest ahead of a reported £17m transfer

Taiwo Awoniyi, the Nottingham Forest and Nigeria striker, has bid farewell to teammates and supporters at the City Ground after Forest’s 2-0 pre-season victory over Brest on Sunday, 16 August 2026, as the forward prepares for a reported permanent move to Coventry City.

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Nottingham Forest manager Olivier Glasner confirmed after the match that Awoniyi is expected to leave the club, bringing an emotional end to a period that has included significant highs and difficult spells for the Nigeria international.

Awoniyi was given a guard of honour by his Forest teammates after being substituted during the friendly, with supporters also applauding the striker as he made what appeared to be his final appearance at the City Ground.

“There was a very positive atmosphere, supportive, and a strong relationship between the stand and the team,” Glasner told Forest TV.

“I believe Taiwo received the guard of honour because it appears he will be departing.”

The reported move to Coventry represents an opportunity for Awoniyi to begin a new chapter after struggling to establish himself as a regular first-choice striker at Forest.

The 28-year-old joined Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 and initially became an important part of the club’s Premier League campaign.

His time at Forest, however, has been affected by injuries and competition for places, with Chris Wood and Igor Jesus among the forwards competing for opportunities.

Awoniyi still showed glimpses of his quality towards the end of the previous campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his final six appearances.

Those performances offered a reminder of the finishing ability and physical presence that made Forest invest heavily in the striker.

His situation has nevertheless changed, and a move to Coventry could provide the consistent playing time needed to rebuild his confidence and regain his best form.

Coventry, newly promoted to the Premier League, are reportedly close to completing the transfer after reaching an agreement with Forest believed to be worth about £17 million.

Awoniyi is also understood to have completed his medical, although the final completion of the transfer remains subject to the necessary formalities.

The proposed deal would give Coventry a proven Premier League forward as the club prepares for the demands of top-flight football.

For Awoniyi, the move could be equally significant. Regular football would offer the striker a chance to rediscover the sharpness that made him one of the most exciting Nigerian forwards in European football.

His departure also marks the end of a complicated but memorable relationship with Forest supporters.

Glasner highlighted the warmth of the reception Awoniyi received at the City Ground, pointing to the connection between the striker, his teammates and the supporters.

“You can observe the strong bond between the players and the fans,” Glasner said. “There was a lot of applause and gratitude for Taiwo’s contributions over the past couple of years.”

Awoniyi’s Forest career has included important contributions during the club’s fight to remain in the Premier League, as well as periods when injuries limited his availability.

His reported final appearance against Brest therefore carried a poignancy beyond the pre-season result.

The guard of honour offered a public acknowledgement of his contribution, while the applause from the stands suggested that the striker leaves with goodwill despite failing to establish himself permanently at the top of Forest’s attacking hierarchy.

The Coventry move, if completed, would give Awoniyi a fresh environment and potentially a central role in a side preparing for a new challenge in the Premier League.

For Coventry, meanwhile, securing a striker with Awoniyi’s experience could prove an important addition as the club seeks to establish itself among England’s elite.

The Nigerian forward will now hope that the next stage of his career brings greater consistency, fitness and regular opportunities in front of goal.

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After saying goodbye at the City Ground, Awoniyi appears ready to close one chapter and begin another.