The Union Berlin striker is about to complete a multi-million euros move to Nottingham Forest in what could make him one of the costliest ever Nigerian footballers in history
Newly promoted English Premier League side Nottingham Forest are on the verge of signing Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin for a reported €20.5 million, making the deal one of the most expensive involving a Nigerian footballer.
It would be the largest transfer fee Forest has ever paid to secure a player, and the most Union has ever received for a departing player.
The deal comes less than a year after Union Berlin paid a club-record €6.5 million to get Awoniyi from Liverpool.
And at €20.5 million, the deal taking Awoniyi to Nottingham Forest is the sixth most expensive involving a Nigerian footballer. It overtakes the €20 million Chelsea paid Lyn Oslo for John Obi Mikel in 2006.
Top on the most expensive transfer list is Victor Osimhen. The Super Eagles’ number nine cost Napoli €81 million (including add-ons) in 2020, making him the most expensive African player in history.
Until that record Osimhen move, the €30.40 million Everton paid to Arsenal for Alex Iwobi shortly after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations was the highest involving a Nigerian.
Third on the list is Kelechi Iheanacho’s €27.70m switch from Manchester City to Leicester City in 2017.
Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai parted with 23.30 million euros to convince Odion Ighalo to swap Watford for Asia in 2016, to sit pretty in fourth on the all-time list.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen reappears on the list following the €22.40 million Lille coughed out to prise him away from Belgium’s Sporting Charleroi.
The top ten list is completed by Ahmed Musa (€19.5m to Leicester), Ademola Lookman (€18m to Leipzig), Wilfred Ndidi (€17.6m to Leicester), and Ahmed Musa (€16.5m to Al-Nassr FC).