Club-record signing Awoniyi’s excellent contribution helps Union Berlin progress in tricky German cup tie

The former Liverpool player only joined the Iron Ones permanently in this transfer window, but he is already repaying the huge fee the club parted with to acquire his services

Taiwo Awoniyi only lasted for just over an hour, but his contribution proved crucial as Union Berlin secured a fine 1-0 win over Turkgucu Munich in a DFP Pokal match on Sunday.

Awoniyi assisted Max Kruse’s first-half winning goal that allowed the Iron Ones to proceed to the next round of the competition at the expense of their lower league opponent.

The former Nigerian youth international had been a Liverpool player for six years before ending his association with the Reds this summer without playing a single competitive match for the English Premier League side.

But having impressed while on loan with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga last season, the German side showed no delay in coughing out a record fee to secure his signature.

And in his first competitive game since joining the Irons permanently, Awoniyi provided an energetic display that would delight the club’s faithful in no small measure.

Awoniyi didn’t manage to score as Turkgucu Munich proved a difficult opponent to break down, but his fine pass was converted by Kruse to start the next chapter of his Berlin story on a positive page.