Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has become one of the most talked‑about Nigerian footballers in recent years. Born in Ilorin, Nigeria, Awoniyi’s journey—from local academies to the bright lights of the Premier League and his national team, Super Eagles—is filled with determination, talent, and resilience.
In this article, we explore everything you need to know about Awoniyi’s life and career.
Early Life & Beginnings
Full Name & Birth: Taiwo Micheal Awoniyi was born on 12 August 1997 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Growing Up: From childhood, Awoniyi had a strong passion for football. Reports indicate that he started playing informally before getting formal training through youth academies.
Youth Discovery: In 2010, his skills shone at a youth competition in London, catching the eye of scouts. This event helped set him on a path toward professional football.
His early rise shows how a combination of raw talent, opportunity, and hard work can set the foundation for a professional career.
Club Career Journey
Awoniyi’s path through clubs has been far from a straight shoot‑to‑fame. It’s a story of persistent loans, steady growth, and eventual breakthrough.
First Big Move: Signing For Liverpool
- In August 2015, at age 18, Awoniyi signed with Liverpool for a fee reportedly around £400,000.
- However, he never played a competitive first‑team match for Liverpool. Instead, the club loaned him out to several European clubs to gain experience.
Loan Spells Across Europe
During his time under contract with Liverpool, Awoniyi played on loan for various clubs:
- German side FSV Frankfurt (2015–2016) — where he made his senior debut.
- Dutch, Belgian, and German clubs including NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron, KAA Gent, and FSV Mainz 05.
These loan stints helped him mature and adapt to different European leagues — but it would take time before he found a stable platform to shine.
Breakthrough At Union Berlin
- After years of loans, he joined Union Berlin permanently in 2021.
- At Union Berlin he finally showed his potential as a goal‑scoring striker, which caught attention across Europe.
Big Move To Nottingham Forest
- In June 2022, Awoniyi signed with Nottingham Forest on a five‑year deal — for what was a club‑record transfer fee for Forest.
- At Forest, he wears jersey number 9 and plays as a center‑forward.
- His physical attributes (height ~1.83 m / 6 ft) and style — strength, pace, ability to hold up play and link with teammates — make him a threat in attack.
- Despite a rough start and challenges (including injury), his journey exemplifies persistence and gradual growth.
International Career: Representing Nigeria
Awoniyi’s national career is as impressive as his club journey, with success from youth to senior levels.
- Youth Success: He was part of the Nigerian squad that won the 2013 FIFA U‑17 World Cup, scoring four goals in the tournament.
- He also played in the 2015 African U‑20 Championship (which Nigeria won) and featured in the FIFA U‑20 World Cup.
- Progressing through age-groups, he played for the U‑23 side (scoring a brace in a match against Zambia in 2015) as the team qualified for the All African Games.
- Senior Team Debut: Awoniyi made his senior debut for Super Eagles in 2021 during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, marking his rise to full international status.
- He was also part of the squad for the 2021 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
All these show a steady climb: youth promise → European club exposure → senior international recognition.
Personal Life & Character
Awoniyi’s life off the pitch is as grounded as his football career:
- He is married to Taiwo Jesudun. The couple had their traditional wedding on 15 June 2018 in Kabba, and a white wedding on 16 June 2018 in Ilorin.
- In interviews, he has spoken about personal values: for instance, he mentioned that since secondary school he formed the habit of paying tithe whenever he received small amounts of money — showing a sense of discipline, gratitude and spiritual grounding.
These aspects portray Awoniyi not just as a footballer, but as a person with moral grounding and sense of family and faith.
Earnings & Estimated Net Worth
Because players’ salaries and net worth are not always publicized clearly, estimates vary. Below is an overview of what is known or estimated about Awoniyi’s financials as of 2025.
Contract & Salary
- His current contract at Nottingham Forest (signed in 2022) reportedly runs until June 2027.
- According to one source, his weekly wage is around £50,000, which equates to approximately £2.6 million per year (before bonuses) under the current contract.
- Some other reports give slightly different weekly wage (e.g., ~£60,000 per week), making exact numbers uncertain but in the general ballpark of a few million pounds per year.
Estimated Net Worth
Estimates for Awoniyi’s net worth as of 2025 vary across sources, mainly because of differences in methodology (what is counted: salary, endorsements, savings, expenses, etc.).
- One source estimates net worth around £7–10 million — taking into account career earnings, bonuses, contract value, and sponsorships.
- Another source (less recent) gives a lower figure (in dollar terms) — but this seems outdated compared to more recent salary/contract info.
What Contributes To His Wealth
Awoniyi’s income likely comes from:
- His club salary + bonuses at Nottingham Forest
- Past earnings from earlier clubs and loan spells
- Endorsements and sponsorship deals (common for professional footballers)
- Potential investments or savings (though public info on these is scarce)
Given his age (born 1997), current contract length, and earning potential, his financial outlook appears promising — assuming continuity on pitch and responsible financial management.
Challenges, Growth & Resilience
Awoniyi’s journey hasn’t been smooth. Some challenges include:
- Extended loans across several clubs in Europe before finding stability — which can be mentally and emotionally taxing for a young player.
- Strong competition for playing time, especially at big clubs where many talented players vie for limited spots.
- Injuries: like many athletes, he faces the risk of injury — which can affect form, income, and career trajectory.
Yet, his story is also about resilience: he kept working, adapting to different leagues and cultures, and eventually secured a stable contract in a top European league. That resilience, along with his work ethic, speaks to his character as much as his footballing ability.
Why People Are Interested In Awoniyi
Inspirational story: From Ilorin to European football — a narrative of perseverance and ambition.
Rising Star In EPL: Playing in the Premier League gives him global visibility; fans and pundits watch him to see how he develops.
National Pride: As a Nigerian playing abroad and representing the Super Eagles, he draws admiration from fellow Nigerians.
Curiosity About Wealth: Knowledge of his salary and earnings taps into broader interest — “How much do top Nigerian players earn?”
All these make his biography + net worth a popular search query among fans, sports followers, and people curious about the financial side of football careers.
