Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has revealed that Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi left Nottingham Forest in search of regular playing time, assuring that the forward will be well supported at his new club.
Awoniyi joined newly promoted Coventry City from Forest in a deal reportedly worth about £9m, ending his four-year spell at the City Ground, where competition for places limited his opportunities towards the latter part of his time at the club.
“There is a reason why Taiwo left Nottingham Forest and came to us. We really like him and hope he’s going to be great for us. We are aware of that and I would flip that to the mental side of Taiwo; probably he is frustrated with game time,” Lampard said.
“So, I like a player that is hungry to play and get his minutes; of course, we have to look after him and prepare him. But I like a player that wants to be the man and play more minutes.”
Lampard believes Awoniyi’s Premier League experience, physical strength and ability to hold up play will be important to Coventry as they prepare for their return to England’s top flight.
“When you look across our recruitment idea, we wanted to bring in Premier League experience. Power and strength, a player that can hold the ball up and I think he is very valuable,” he said.
Awoniyi, for his part, said he is determined to justify Lampard’s confidence by contributing goals and hard work to the team.
“I think for sure — goals. Like I said, goals and hard work as well,” the 29-year-old said.
The former Liverpool striker also disclosed that he draws inspiration from legendary forwards, including late Nigerian star Rashidi Yekini, Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba.
“When I watch the video clip of the late Rashidi Yekini of Nigeria and Thierry Henry and, of course, Didier Drogba,” he said.
Awoniyi spent four seasons at Forest, making 103 appearances across all competitions and scoring 23 goals. He netted 11 times in his first season, helping the club avoid relegation and reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
He was also part of the Forest team that finished seventh in the 2024/25 campaign and secured European football before his move to Coventry.
The striker will now link up with fellow Nigerian Frank Onyeka at Coventry, with both players expected to play important roles as Lampard’s side return to the Premier League.