Overview
Taiwo Awoniyi is a professional footballer from Nigeria who has established himself as a forward in European football. Born on 12 August 1997, in Ilorin, Nigeria, Awoniyi's career trajectory has seen him develop through various loan spells before securing a permanent move to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. His playing style is characterized by his strength, pace, and clinical finishing, making him a focal point in attack for his teams. He has also represented the Nigeria national team, featuring in significant international competitions.
Position
Awoniyi primarily operates as a central forward or striker. His role involves leading the line, holding up play, and providing a direct goal threat. He is adept at playing as a lone striker, utilizing his physical attributes to challenge defenders and create space for teammates. His positioning in the box is a key asset, allowing him to be in opportune areas to convert chances.
Identity
Taiwo Awoniyi's identity as a player is defined by his powerful and direct attacking approach. He is often described as a 'poacher' due to his ability to find the back of the net, particularly within the penalty area. His physicality allows him to be effective in aerial duels and in shielding the ball, making him a challenging opponent for defenders. This combination of strength, speed, and goalscoring instinct makes him a valuable asset in the final third.
Career path
Taiwo Awoniyi's professional career began in Nigeria before a significant move to Europe. His journey has been marked by numerous loan spells, which provided him with diverse experiences across different leagues.
Early Career & Liverpool Move
Awoniyi began his youth career at the Imperial Soccer Academy in Nigeria. His performances at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup caught the attention of European clubs. In August 2015, he signed for Liverpool FC, but due to work permit issues, he immediately embarked on a series of loan moves to gain experience and playing time (Transfermarkt).
Loan Spells Across Europe
His first loan move was to German club FSV Frankfurt for the 2015-16 season. Following this, he spent the 2016-17 season in the Netherlands with NEC Nijmegen. The 2017-18 season saw him move to Belgium, joining Mouscron, where he made a significant impact, scoring 10 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions (Soccerway). He returned to Mouscron for a second loan spell in January 2019 after a brief stint with KAA Gent.
Awoniyi then moved to Germany for two consecutive loan spells, first with Mainz 05 for the 2019-20 season and then with Union Berlin for the 2020-21 season. It was at Union Berlin where he truly began to establish himself, scoring 5 goals in 21 Bundesliga appearances despite an injury layoff (Transfermarkt). His performances earned him a permanent move to Union Berlin in July 2021, ending his six-year association with Liverpool (Transfermarkt).
Union Berlin & Nottingham Forest
During the 2021-22 season with Union Berlin, Awoniyi enjoyed his most prolific campaign to date, scoring 15 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches, helping the club secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League (Bundesliga.com). His impressive form led to a transfer to newly-promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest in June 2022 for a reported fee of £17 million (Transfermarkt). He quickly became a key player for Forest, contributing crucial goals in their debut Premier League season.
Playing style
Taiwo Awoniyi's playing style is characterized by a blend of physical prowess, directness, and a natural instinct for goal. As a centre-forward, he excels in several key areas that make him a challenging opponent for defenders.
Physicality and Aerial Threat
Awoniyi possesses significant strength and uses his body effectively to hold off defenders, win aerial duels, and create space for himself and his teammates. This makes him a vital target man, capable of receiving long passes and bringing others into play. His aerial ability also makes him a potent threat from set-pieces and crosses, contributing to his goal tally.
Goalscoring and Movement
His primary attribute is his goalscoring ability. Awoniyi demonstrates good movement in and around the penalty area, often finding pockets of space to receive the ball or get into shooting positions. He has a keen eye for goal and is capable of finishing with both feet, though he is predominantly right-footed. According to FBref, his non-penalty xG (expected goals) per 90 minutes is consistently high, indicating his ability to get into dangerous positions.
Work Rate and Pressing
Beyond his attacking contributions, Awoniyi also exhibits a strong work rate. He is willing to press opposition defenders and goalkeepers, contributing to his team's defensive efforts from the front. This combination of offensive threat and defensive commitment makes him a well-rounded striker. While not known for intricate dribbling, his directness and pace in transition allow him to break away from defenders and drive towards goal. His composure in front of goal is also a notable trait, allowing him to convert chances under pressure.
Achievements & honours
Taiwo Awoniyi has accumulated several significant honours throughout his career, both at club and international youth levels.
International Youth Honours
Awoniyi was a key member of the Nigeria national U-17 team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013. He played a crucial role in the tournament, contributing to Nigeria's success on the global stage. He also represented Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2015 African U-23 Championship, where Nigeria emerged as champions.
Club Achievements
While his time at Liverpool did not yield first-team appearances, his subsequent moves saw him contribute significantly to his respective clubs. His most notable club achievement to date includes helping Union Berlin secure qualification for the UEFA Europa League during the 2021-22 season by finishing 5th in the Bundesliga (Bundesliga.com). He was also instrumental in Nottingham Forest's successful Premier League survival campaign in the 2022-23 season, scoring vital goals.
Table of Honours
| Competition | Club / National Team | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA U-17 World Cup | Nigeria U-17 | 2013 |
| African U-23 Championship | Nigeria U-23 | 2015 |
International career
Taiwo Awoniyi has represented Nigeria at various youth levels and has progressed to the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
Youth International Appearances
His international journey began with the Nigeria U-17 team, where he was a key figure in their triumphant 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign. He continued to represent his country at the U-20 level, participating in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Awoniyi also featured for the Nigeria U-23 team, helping them win the 2015 African U-23 Championship, which also secured qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was part of the Nigeria squad for the Olympic football tournament in Rio de Janeiro, where they secured a bronze medal.
Senior National Team
Awoniyi received his first call-up to the senior Nigeria national team in 2021. He made his debut for the Super Eagles on 7 October 2021, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic (FIFA.com). He has since become a regular member of the squad, contributing to their qualification campaigns and participating in major tournaments. Awoniyi was part of the Nigeria squad that competed in the Africa Cup of Nations, showcasing his talent on the continental stage.
As of May 2026, he has accumulated 8 caps and scored 2 goals for the Nigeria senior national team, further solidifying his role as an important attacking option for the Super Eagles (FBref).
What makes Taiwo Awoniyi stand out
Taiwo Awoniyi distinguishes himself through a combination of raw power, relentless effort, and a natural predatory instinct in front of goal. His ability to consistently find the back of the net, particularly in physically demanding leagues, is a testament to his unique attributes.
One standout trait is his exceptional strength and hold-up play. Awoniyi can effectively battle with central defenders, shield the ball, and bring midfielders and wingers into attacking phases. This makes him a crucial focal point for initiating attacks and relieving pressure. Another key aspect is his directness; he rarely complicates situations, preferring to drive towards goal or finish chances efficiently. His goal against Liverpool in the 2022-23 Premier League season, securing a vital win for Nottingham Forest, epitomizes his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
"Taiwo is a fantastic striker who gives us a real physical presence and a constant threat in the box."