Evangelos Marinakis hails Taiwo Awoniyi after Coventry move | OneFootball

Evangelos Marinakis has praised Taiwo Awoniyi as a defining figure for Nottingham Forest after the striker completed a £7 million move to Coventry City.

According to Nottingham Post, public tributes of this kind from the owner are rare. Awoniyi waved goodbye at the City Ground during Sunday’s 2-0 friendly win over Brest, with his transfer confirmed on Monday to end a four-year spell.

In a statement, Marinakis said Awoniyi would always hold a special place in Forest’s history, highlighting his strength, determination and positivity, and adding that he leaves with gratitude, respect and best wishes, always welcome back at the club.

Signed from Union Berlin in the summer of 2022 after promotion, Awoniyi made 103 appearances and scored 23 goals. His contributions included crucial strikes in Forest’s first season back in the Premier League that helped secure survival.

He suffered a serious abdominal injury in May 2025 but returned last term to score four times, including a brace against Chelsea. The club thanked him for his contribution in announcing his exit, while the forward posted a heartfelt message on social media expressing his gratitude and citing Psalm 3:3.

Source: Nottingham Post

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