Nottingham Forest have made their first permanent summer signing after activating a £17 million release clause for Union Berlin striker, Taiwo Awoniyi.
As a result, Liverpool will receive £1.7 million of the transfer after installing a ten per cent sell-on clause in the Nigeria international’s contract when he signed for Union last summer.
The 24-year-old has penned a five-year deal with Steve Cooper’s side.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Taiwo Awoniyi. ✍️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) June 25, 2022
Nottingham Forest Sign Union Berlin Striker Taiwo Awoniyi
Promising Time in Berlin
Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin only signed Awoniyi from Liverpool last summer in a deal reportedly worth around £6.5 million.
The move followed a successful loan spell in the capital in which the Nigeria international netted five goals in 21 Bundesliga matches.
But the 24-year-old recorded his most lethal season in front of goal after penning a permanent deal, scoring 15 times from just 31 league outings (and 20 from 43 in all competitions) as Union secured Europa League football for next season.
During his time with Union, Awoniyi received his first call up to the Nigeria senior side, where he has since scored once from four appearances.
Journeyman Striker to Return to England
Despite spending six years at Liverpool, Awoniyi failed to make a single appearance for Jurgen Klopp’s side as a result of several work permit issues.
Instead, the striker would spend time away from Anfield with seven different loan spells in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
But now, the return to England becomes for Awoniyi has resulted in a record-breaking signing for Forest as they look to splash the cash ahead of their return to the top flight.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Awoniyi said: “I’m very excited to be here at Nottingham Forest.
“It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League and having spoken to Steve Cooper about our ambitions and looking at Forest, with its great history, it’s a club that I want to be part of.”
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Awoniyi will be a welcome addition to Steve Cooper’s side. The Welshman only has 34-year-old veteran Lewis Grabban and Sam Surridge as regular strikers after Keinan Davis returned to Aston Villa following his loan spell at the City Ground.
