Coventry City have signed Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest for £9m.
The 29-year-old joins Coventry before Friday’s Premier League opener at champions Arsenal, with the club returning to the top flight after a 25-year absence.
Awoniyi was given a guard of honour by the Forest squad and staff before the second half of their final pre-season friendly against Brest on Sunday to allow him to say goodbye at the City Ground, where he spent the past four seasons.
“He was probably one of the loveliest guys I’ve met, always friendly, always smiling,” said Forest boss Oliver Glasner, after a 2-0 win over the Ligue 1 side.
“Everybody in the club likes him and I could see everybody in the stand likes him because this is what everybody appreciates.
“He always gives 100% for the team, he always gives 100% for the bench, and that’s why he deserves such a farewell, such a guard of honour. That’s why we decided we would give it to him and I wish him all the best at his next club, just not when they play us.”
Awoniyi became Forest’s record signing at the time when he joined from Union Berlin in 2022 for £17.2m.
He scored 23 goals in 103 games for Forest but has been behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order and was left out of last season’s Europa League squad.
Awoniyi started just three games last season, scoring four goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.
In May 2025, he was placed in an induced coma, rupturing an intestine when he collided with a post during a game against Leicester.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “Taiwo will always have a special place in the history of Nottingham Forest. He has been one of the defining figures in our journey and given our supporters moments of great joy that will never be forgotten.”
Coventry are in Premier League for the first time in 25 years and have already re-signed midfielder Gus Hamer from Sheffield United and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, following his successful loan from Brighton.
Winger Loum Tchaouna has joined from Burnley, defender Aurele Amenda arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt and Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi signed from Nordsjaelland.
Striker Haji Wright is injured, with Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms the current fit striking options for manager Frank Lampard before the Arsenal game.