Forest hand Awoniyi special commemorative shirt to celebrate his 100 appearances

ENGLISH Premier League side Nottingham Forest have presented Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi with a special commemorative shirt highlighting the fact that he has made 100 appearances for the club.

Awoniyi, 28, completed a move to the then newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on a five-year deal on June 2022 for a club record fee of £17m. On August 18 2023, Awoniyi became the first Forest player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches since Stan Collymore in March/April 1995.

Earlier this month, Awoniyi celebrated his 100th appearance getting a couple of goals in a crucial 3-0 victory over Chelsea that could well have saved his team from relegation. Forest were hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone and desperately needed the three points away at Stamford Bridge.

With just three more games until the end of the season, Awoniyi made it a wonderful bank Holiday Monday for the travelling Forest fans with a goal in each half. In a historic night for him, he saved his club from the drop with two crucial goals while celebrating his centenary appearance for the club.

In acknowledging the moment, Forest handed him a special commemorative shirt during training on Friday. He was celebrated alongside teammate Chris Wood, who also recently reached the 100-game mark for the Tricky Trees.

Players and coaching staff gathered at the club’s training ground to applaud both forwards after an important period in Forest’s Premier League survival fight. Speaking after receiving the commemorative shirt, Awoniyi thanked his teammates for their support throughout the campaign.

Awoniyi said: “Thank you guys. This would not have been possible without you. For all you have done this season, for where we are, for keeping the team in the Premier League.”

Forest currently sit 16th in the Premier League table on 43 points and still have matches remaining against Manchester United and Bournemouth as they attempt to finish the season strongly. Despite his recent impact, there remains growing uncertainty over Awoniyi’s future at the City Ground as reports suggest Forest could be willing to listen to offers this summer as manager Vítor Pereira reshapes his attacking options.

Several clubs across Europe are monitoring Awoniyi, with Everton and West Ham United said to be tracking the striker, while Turkish giants Beşiktaş have also shown an interest. Before joining Forest in 2022, Awoniyi spent years moving across Europe after signing for Liverpool as a teenager in 2015.