Taiwo Awoniyi may be entering the final year of his Nottingham Forest contract, but a move away from England appears unlikely regardless of what happens next at the City Ground.
Fresh uncertainty has surrounded the Super Eagles striker after contract renewal talks stalled, fuelling speculation that the 28-year-old could seek a new challenge when his current deal expires.
Awoniyi has repeatedly spoken about his desire to remain at Nottingham Forest, but with no extension yet agreed, questions over his long term future continue to grow.
However, former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana has now revealed that remaining in England has always been a central part of the striker’s carefully planned career journey.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been playing for Nottingham Forest since 2022.
Speaking on the Playzone podcast, Olofinjana who played a significant role in Awoniyi’s development said every stage of the forward’s career had been mapped out long before his arrival in the Premier League.
The former Stoke City midfielder explained that the planning extended far beyond football, with equal emphasis placed on financial education, life after football and long term personal development.
“Everything he’s done is about the education opportunity we gave to him on the backend of what I went through in my career,” Olofinjana said.
“Away from just teaching them how to play football, when it comes to getting them out there, we taught them how to handle their finances, handle life.”
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Olofinjana revealed that extensive discussions shaped Awoniyi’s career path before he made the move abroad.
“We spoke about every single detail of Taiwo Awoniyi’s career. I can say this anywhere, we did the planning.”
One of those long term objectives, according to Olofinjana, was ensuring the Nigerian international established himself in England long enough to qualify for British citizenship.
“The day he gets to play in England, I told him he’ll stay there until he gets a second passport, but Nigeria will always be your home.”
“That’s why Taiwo Awoniyi is not going anywhere. He’s going to stay in England until he gets his passport.”
The comments provide fresh context to the growing uncertainty surrounding Awoniyi’s future at Nottingham Forest.
Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest goal celebration with Morgan Gibbs-White. Photocredit: imago
The striker joined Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 and has spent four seasons helping the club re-establish itself in the Premier League. Although injuries have disrupted parts of his time at the City Ground, he has remained an important member of the squad and has previously spoken about how settled he and his family are in Nottingham.
Earlier this summer, Awoniyi described the city as home and reiterated his desire to continue his career in England.
His contract situation nevertheless leaves Forest with an important decision. With only one year remaining on his current deal, the club must either secure his long term future or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
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Competition for places has also increased following Oliver Glasner’s arrival, adding another layer of uncertainty over the striker’s future yet Olofinjana’s remarks suggest that even if Awoniyi eventually departs Nottingham Forest, his next destination is far more likely to be another English club than a move overseas.
