Awoniyi puts disappointment of Premier League debut behind him and prepares for graduation

SUPER Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has revealed that he has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management at Buckinghamshire New University in England not too far away from his new club Nottingham Forest.

Last month, newly-promoted Forest completed the signing of Awoniyi from German Bundesliga side Union Berlin in a deal worth a £17.5m (€20.5m). In a deal which shatters Nottingham Forest's previous record when it paid £13.5m for Joao Carvalho in 2018, Awoniyi signed a five year contract with the club.

Yesterday, Awoniyi made his English Premier League debut for Forest but his efforts were not enough, as Newcastle United beat his team 2-0 at St James Park. Putting that disappointment behind him, Awoniyi has finished his degree programme and is looking forward to graduation taking place between September 5 and 9.

Before now, Awoniyi's highest academic qualification was a Diploma in Business Administration and Marketing Management. Buckinghamshire New University from which he has graduated is a 131-year-old institution and will hold its graduation week between September 5 and 9 at Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe.

Awoniyi said: “I got my Diploma in Business and Marketing Management two years ago from the London School of International Business. I’m also happy to inform you that I’ve just finished a degree programme in Business Management at Buckinghamshire New University and my graduation is next month.”

Last season, Awoniyi ended as the most prolific Union Berlin player in Bundesliga history, prompting Forest to make him the club’s most expensive player ever. Yesterday, Awoniyi was hoping to repay some of that money back but Forest were outclassed on the day as the Magpies dominated them in the first half.

Then, the game changed in the second half, as Fabian Schar opened the scoring in the 58th minute. Nottingham Forest coach Steve Cooper brought on Awoniyi in the 63rd minute to add some bite to the attack and although he looked sharp, Awoniyi only had eight touches and won two duels.

Callum Wilson added a second for Newcastle with 12 minutes to go. Nottingham Forest looked very blunt in attack and failed to get a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, allowing Newcastle to run out easy winners.