The Evangelos Marinakis era at Nottingham Forest has seen its fair share of high-stakes drama, massive transfer swings, and emotional highs and lows. But moments like this are exceptionally rare. Following the official confirmation of Taiwo Awoniyi’s £7 million transfer to Coventry City, the owner himself has broken his usual silence to deliver a heartfelt, glowing tribute to a player who helped change the modern history of the club.
Awoniyi’s four-year spell on the banks of the Trent has officially come to an end, closing a chapter that every Forest fan will remember for the rest of their lives.
A Rare Public Tribute from Marinakis
When an owner of Marinakis’s stature steps forward to personally praise a departing player, it speaks volumes. Awoniyi had already received a raucous, emotional send-off from the City Ground faithful during Sunday’s 2-0 pre-season friendly victory over Brest—complete with a guard of honor and an unforgettable round of “the bumps.”
Echoing that deep affection, Marinakis released a powerful statement cementing the striker’s legacy:
“Taiwo will always have a special place in the history of Nottingham Forest. He has been one of the defining figures in our journey and given our supporters moments of great joy that will never be forgotten,” Marinakis shared.
“Throughout his time with us, Taiwo has shown great strength, determination and positivity, overcoming great challenges along the way. He embraced this club from the first day and his passion and character are why he is so loved by everyone connected to Nottingham Forest. He leaves with our gratitude, our respect and our very best wishes for the future.”
Given how rarely the Greek businessman speaks out directly on individual player exits, this tribute highlights just how beloved Awoniyi was behind the scenes and in the boardroom alike.
A Legacy Carved in Premier League Survival
Signed from Union Berlin in the summer of 2022 during that frantic, historic recruitment drive following the club’s long-awaited promotion back to the Premier League, Awoniyi immediately understood the weight of the Garibaldi shirt.
Over four seasons, the 29-year-old made 103 total appearances and found the back of the net 23 times. While those numbers only tell part of the story, his goals carried a massive psychological and structural weight for the club.
His most defining moments came during Forest’s nail-biting debut campaign back in the top flight, where his crucial, clutch goals single-handedly dragged the club toward safety. Even when severe injury setbacks threatened to derail his momentum—including a devastating abdominal injury in May 2025—Awoniyi fought his way back onto the pitch, chipping in with four vital strikes last season, highlighted by an unforgettable brace against Chelsea.
A Heartfelt Farewell from the Man Himself
True to his character, Awoniyi did not leave without expressing his own deep gratitude to the city and the supporters who chanted his name week in and week out. Taking to social media, the beloved striker shared a poignant goodbye message:
“MORE THAN JUST A GAME. Some chapters are impossible to put into words. Forever grateful for this one. ‘But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.’ – Psalm 3:3. Thank you, Nottingham. God is the greatest.”
The Road Ahead for Forest
As Awoniyi officially trades the red of Nottingham for the sky blue of Coventry City, the Tricky Trees are moving fast to restructure their squad under Oliver Glasner. But make no mistake: this is more than just a routine squad sale.
Taiwo Awoniyi leaves East London not just as a departing asset, but as an immortalized figure of the modern era—a warrior who never complained, always gave everything, and helped rescue Nottingham Forest from the wilderness of the lower leagues. As Marinakis aptly noted, he will always be part of the Forest family, and he will always be welcomed home.
