Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has completed his transfer from Bundesliga side Union Berlin to English Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest.
The former Liverpool man impressed in Des Eisernen colors notching twenty goals and five assists in 44 appearances last season. Awoniyi’s brilliant performances prompted the Reds to break their transfer record by splashing £17 million on the Imperial Academy pro.
Soccernet as per the Nottingham Forest Website shares some interesting facts about Awoniyi.
Awoniyi was discovered by a former Super Eagles star
Awoniyi was first spotted by former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana who also co-owns Imperial Soccer Academy.
The former Wolverhampton man and his partner Atiba Bankole were impressed after watching Awoniyi, and they immediately took Awoniyi from his base then at Ilorin to Lagos where the Academy is based.
Record breaker at two different clubs
Awoniyi hold the record for the most expensive signing at the different clubs. Awoniyi’s €8.55 million move from Liverpool to Union Berlin is Die Eisernen’s most expensive purchase.
Also, his £17million transfer to Nottingham makes him the club’s most expensive signing.
World Cup champion
The 24-year-old striker was part of the Manu Garba-led team that won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2013.
Whilst Iheanacho shone in that team, Awoniyi also had four goals to his name.
Awoniyi has brains to add to his brawn
Asides from his business on the pitch, Awoniyi is also well educated to the highest level.
Whilst achieving success on the pitch, the Nottingham Forest man was also doing great things in academia.
The 24-year-old bagged a diploma in Business Administration and Marketing development during his time in Germany.
Awoniyi made a mark on his debut for Nigeria’s under-23 team
The goal poacher had a fantastic debut for Nigeria at the Under-23 level.
Awoniyi scored a brace during his debut for the Nigeria U-23 team on April 12, 2015, in a match against Zambia. His goals were enough to give Nigeria the ticket to the All African games.
