England Premier League new entrants, Coventry City have agreed a deal worth about £17m to sign Nigeria international striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest 

The promoted Sky Blues are expected to complete the transfer before their Premier League season opener against Arsenal on Friday, with the match scheduled for 8pm BST.

Awoniyi was given a guard of honour by Forest players and staff before the second half of their final pre-season friendly against Brest on Sunday, allowing the striker to bid farewell to the club and its supporters.

Forest manager Oliver Glasner praised the 29-year-old for his commitment and character, saying: “He was probably one of the loveliest guys I’ve met, always friendly, always smiling.”

“Everybody in the club likes him and I could see everybody in the stand likes him because this is what everybody appreciates,” Glasner added.

“He always gives 100% for the team, he always gives 100% for the bench, and that’s why he deserves such a farewell, such a guard of honour. That’s why we decided we would give it to him and I wish him all the best at his next club, just not when they play us.”

Awoniyi became Nottingham Forest’s record signing when he joined from Union Berlin in 2022 for £17.2m. He scored 23 goals in 103 appearances for the club but fell behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order.

The Nigeria international started only three matches last season, scoring four goals in 17 appearances across all competitions. He was also left out of Forest’s Europa League squad.

Awoniyi endured a serious setback in May 2025 when he was placed in an induced coma after rupturing an intestine in a collision with a post during Forest’s match against Leicester.

Coventry are preparing for their first Premier League campaign in 25 years and have strengthened their squad with the return of midfielder Gus Hamer from Sheffield United and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Brighton.

Winger Loum Tchaouna, defender Aurele Amenda and Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi have also joined the promoted side as manager Frank Lampard prepares for the new season.

Former Chelsea midfielder, Ruud Gullit, believes that England international, Marcus Rashford’s return to Manchester United could be the best Premier League signing of the summer.

Rashford recently returned to Manchester United after his loan spell at Barcelona ended.

Barcelona were expected to make the 28-year-old’s loan deal permanent in a £26million deal.

But the LaLiga champions ended up signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and didn’t sign Rashford permanently.

Rashford has already joined up with Michael Carrick’s side at pre-season training after his World Cup break ended.

Speaking to Sport Witness, Gullit said, “Marcus Rashford could end up being the best signing.

“He learned a lot at Barcelona and played much better, with far more freedom, than he ever did at Manchester United.”

Ghana and South Africa have clinched the two African slots for the Inter-Confederation play-offs ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

This follows their victories in the African play-offs on Thursday night.

The Black Queens came from a goal down to defeat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the first game.

Bayana Bayana also held on to beat Nigeria 2-1 despite going down to 10 men in stoppage them.

They both advance to a six-team preliminary round in the Inter-Confederation play-offs.

From there, two countries will progress to a final play-off phase alongside four nations that receive direct byes.