Nottingham Forest have signed Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin for a club-record fee of around £17.5million.
The 24-year-old joins Forest from the Bundesliga club on a five-year contract and will become the Premier League’s first international signing of the summer.
Awoniyi scored 20 goals in 43 games in all competitions last season. His 15 goals in 31 Bundesliga games also helped Union Berlin to fifth place and qualification for the Europa League for the first time since 2001/2002.
“I’m delighted to be here at Nottingham Forest,” said Awoniyi after joining The City Ground.
“It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League and after speaking to Steve Cooper about our ambitions and seeing Forest and their great history, it’s a club I want to be part of.”
Awoniyi started his professional career at Liverpool FC and signed for the Merseyside club in 2015 before being loaned out to FSV Frankfurt, NEC, Mouscron, Gent and Mainz 05.
He joined Union Berlin on loan in the 2020/21 season and made the move permanent last July.
Awoniyi, who has represented Nigeria at U17, U20 and U23 level, won the first of his three caps for Nigeria against Central African Republic in October 2021 and scored his first goal against Sudan in January’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Forest head coach Steve Cooper said: “There has been a lot of interest in Taiwo from other Premier League clubs and other clubs across Europe so we are delighted that he has chosen Nottingham Forest.
“Our recruitment and coaching teams have been closely monitoring his progress over the past few months. He’s a player we really believe in and we look forward to him fulfilling his potential and becoming a top Premier League striker with Nottingham Forest.”
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What will Awoniyi bring to Forest?
European football journalist Andy Brassell on Sky Sports News:
“I think it’s a statement of intent. Awoniyi has been great for Union Berlin for the last couple of seasons and especially last season.
“He’s their all-time top scorer in the top flight. You look at his strength and the variety of goals he scores and he was the man who ensured they qualified for the Europa League at the end of the season.
“He’s someone who can create his own shot and pick up the pieces. What really impressed me about him is that his really creative strike partner did a lot for him – Max Kruse. He’s moved on and returned to Wolfsburg in January and Awoniyi has taken center stage and really likes to take charge of attack.
“I think he will be absolutely great for Nottingham Forest.”
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