Taiwo's £17m Coventry Switch Is a Throwback Transfer That Hits Different

Big news dropping from the Premier League rumor mill: Taiwo Awoniyi is set to swap the City Ground for the Coventry Building Society Arena in a deal worth around £17 million ($23m), sources tell ESPN.

The 29-year-old Nigerian international is expected to complete his move within days — just in time to suit up for Coventry's massive Premier League opener against Arsenal on Friday. That's a statement signing for a club making its top-flight return.

A Farewell Worthy of a Legend

Awoniyi didn't just slip out the back door. After Forest's preseason clash with Brest on Sunday, his teammates lined up to give him a full guard of honour — a moment that hit hard for everyone watching.

Forest boss Oliver Glasner couldn't hide his admiration:

"He was probably one of the loveliest guys I've met, always friendly, always smiling. Everybody in the club likes him and I could see everybody in the stand likes him because this is what everybody appreciates. He always gives 100% for the team, he always gives 100% for the bench, and that's why he deserves such a farewell, such a guard of honour. We decided we would give it to him, and I wish him all the best at his next club — just not when they play us."

That's a manager who knows he's losing a special one. Awoniyi joined Forest back in 2022 for £17.2m and became the club's record signing at the time. Now he's flipping the script, leaving to lead Coventry's charge back to the big time.

Coventry's Summer Statement

Awoniyi will become the Sky Blues' sixth summer signing, joining Gus Hamer, Carl Rushworth, Lomu Tchaouna, Aurèle Amenda, and Caleb Yirenski. If this is the kind of business Coventry are doing, the Premier League better be ready.

This isn't just a transfer. It's a homecoming for a player who's ready to prove he's still got the fire. Watch out, Arsenal. Taiwo is coming.