Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi received an emotional farewell from Nottingham Forest players, staff and supporters on Sunday. The Taiwo Awoniyi farewell was heartfelt and showed how much he meant to the club. He is preparing to end his four-year stay at the City Ground.
According to Sky Sports, the 29-year-old is closing in on a permanent move to newly promoted Premier League side Coventry City. The clubs have reached an agreement for his transfer.
Viral footage from the City Ground showed Awoniyi walking through a guard of honour formed by his Forest teammates and staff at half-time of their 2-0 pre-season victory over French side Brest. This touching moment highlighted the significance of the Taiwo Awoniyi farewell for the Forest community.
The Nigerian forward was applauded as he made his way through the line. Before his teammates lifted him into the air in a traditional farewell gesture.
Awoniyi receives emotional Forest farewell
The moment quickly attracted reactions from football fans online. Many of them reflected on Awoniyi’s contribution to Forest since arriving from Union Berlin in 2022.
Awoniyi joined Forest in a then-club-record deal worth about £17.2 million. He went on to score 23 goals in 103 appearances.
Some of his most memorable contributions came during his first season in England. During that time, his goals proved crucial in Forest’s battle to remain in the Premier League. The Taiwo Awoniyi farewell reminds fans of these important moments.
He famously scored the winner against Liverpool. Afterward, he netted the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in May 2023. That secured Forest’s Premier League survival.
Injuries disrupted parts of his four-year spell, including a serious abdominal injury suffered in 2025. However, the striker returned to action and continued contributing for the club.
Coventry move edges closer
Awoniyi is now expected to join Coventry in a deal worth around £17 million. Frank Lampard is strengthening his squad ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League.
The transfer would give Awoniyi an opportunity for more regular first-team football after falling down the attacking order at Forest. In short, the Taiwo Awoniyi farewell marks the end of an unforgettable chapter for both player and club.
Coventry are hoping to complete the move before their Premier League opener against defending champions Arsenal on Friday.
Should the transfer be completed, the emotional City Ground send-off appears to have brought the curtain down on Awoniyi’s memorable four-year association with Nottingham Forest.
