Taiwo Michael Awoniyi is a Nigerian professional footballer born on August 12, 1997, in Ilorin, Nigeria. He plays as a striker for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League and represents the Nigerian national team.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Awoniyi’s passion for football was evident from a young age. Despite facing financial challenges, he showcased remarkable determination. At times, he had to sew together discarded football boots to continue playing. His talent was recognized in 2010 when he was named the Most Valuable Player at a Coca-Cola football competition in London, leading to his enrollment at the Imperial Soccer Academy in Nigeria. 

⚽ Club Career

• Liverpool (2015–2021): Awoniyi signed with Liverpool in 2015 but faced work permit issues, preventing him from making a senior appearance. During this period, he was loaned to several clubs across Europe, including FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron, Gent, Mainz 05, and Union Berlin.  
• Union Berlin (2020–2022): His time at Union Berlin marked a turning point. Initially joining on loan, he made a significant impact, leading to a permanent move in 2021. In the 2021–22 season, he scored 15 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances.  
• Nottingham Forest (2022–Present): In June 2022, Awoniyi transferred to Nottingham Forest for a club-record fee of £17 million. He quickly became a key player, scoring crucial goals that helped the team maintain its Premier League status. Notably, he became the first Forest player since 1995 to score in six consecutive Premier League matches.  

🇳🇬 International Career

Awoniyi has represented Nigeria at various youth levels, including the U17 team that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013, where he scored four goals. He also played for the U20 and U23 teams. He made his senior debut for the Nigerian national team in 2021 and has since earned multiple caps, including participation in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. 

🏥 Recent Health Update

On May 11, 2025, during a Premier League match against Leicester City, Awoniyi suffered a severe abdominal injury after colliding with the goalpost. Despite the injury, he continued playing due to exhausted substitutions. Post-match, he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery. As of May 13, 2025, reports indicate that he is stable and recovering in the intensive care unit. 

🙏 Personal Life

Awoniyi is a devout Christian. He married his partner, Taiye Jesudun, in June 2018, with ceremonies held in Kabba and Ilorin. He has a twin sister named Kehinde.

What your thought about him.