Taiwo Awoniyi’s story is more than money. It is about beating the odds. He came from a simple start in Ilorin and became one of the most dreaded strikers in the most competitive league in the world – the English Premier League.
Despite the number of talents coming through the League every year, Taiwo Awoniyi has developed to become a key player for Nottingham Forest, one of the most competitive clubs in EPL currently.
The 28-year-old Nigerian striker is sharp, smart, and strong, matching the physicality required for a Premier League player to thrive.
However, his Rome wasn’t built in a day. Taiwo Awoniyi’s career involved many loan spells before he finally found a home. And a sign of his success is Taiwo Awoniyi net worth. This number shows his value on the field and his smart choices off it.
In this article by SportsBuddy, we will be taking a look at Taiwo Awoniyi net worth, and his journey from the streets of Ilorin to England’s top league
Early Life, Background and Education
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Taiwo Micheal Awoniyi |
| Date of Birth | 12 August 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Ilorin, Nigeria |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Spouse/Partner | Married to Taiye Jesudun (Married in June 2018) |
| Children | Has two children with his wife – a son named Emmanuel (born October 16, 2020), and a second child welcomed on his birthday (August 12, 2023). |
| Siblings | Has a twin sister named Kehinde Awoniyi. |
Taiwo Awoniyi was born on the 12th of August 1997, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. He is a twin with a sister name Kehinde Awoniyi.
Taiwo Awoniyi was born into a big, Christian family. His father, Elder Solomon Adewoye Awoniyi, is a retired police officer while his mother is Mary Motunrayo Awoniyi.
His parents wanted him to follow the regular Nigerian path to survival which includes going to school, bagging a degree and getting a well-paying job.
However, Taiwo Awoniyi wanted more and he saw football as his escape from poverty and only way to achieve all he wanted.
At 13, he went against his family’s wishes. He left for the Imperial Soccer Academy in Ogun State. This choice hurt his family ties but started his professional dream. His raw skill was discovered by former Super Eagles player Seyi Olofinjana at a tournament.
The academy gave him structure. It mixed hard training with basic school, though formal education became less important. This early time did not make him money, but it was the first step toward the future Taiwo Awoniyi net worth.
Professional Career
| Club (Years) | Apps (Goals) | Key Notes & Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| FSV Frankfurt (loan) (2015–2016) | 13 (1) | First professional club and senior league goal. |
| NEC (loan) (2016–2017) | 18 (2) | First experience in the Dutch Eredivisie. |
| Mouscron (loan) (2017–2018) | 27 (7) | Breakthrough season with consistent goal contributions. |
| Gent (loan) (2018–2019) | 16 (0) | Provided depth in the squad during his stint. |
| Mouscron (loan) (2019) | 9 (7) | Highly prolific return, scoring 7 goals in just 9 appearances. |
| Mainz 05 (loan) (2019–2020) | 12 (1) | Scored his first Bundesliga goal. |
| Union Berlin (loan) (2020–2021) | 21 (5) | Strong first season, helping the club secure European qualification. |
| Union Berlin (2021–2022) | 31 (15) | Career-best league goal tally. Became a key striker for the club. |
| Nottingham Forest (2022–) | 75 (17) (as of late 2025) | First Forest player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches (Aug 2023), equaling a 28-year-old club record. |
| International (Nigeria) | 10 Caps (2 Goals) (as of late 2021/early 2022) | FIFA U-17 World Cup Winner (2013)
African U-20 Championship Winner (2015) |
Liverpool
Awoniyi’s career is a story of waiting and not giving up. He was a Liverpool player for seven years but never played for them because of work permit problems.
He was signed from his academy in 2015 and was immediately sent on loan to different clubs in Europe. He played in Germany for FSV Frankfurt, in Belgium for Royal Excel Mouscron, and in the Netherlands for NEC Nijmegen, among others.
These years helped him improve his skills and become a known striker, even without a stable team.
Union Berlin
His big break came with Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga. He first joined on loan, then the move became permanent in 2020.
The 2021/22 season changed his career. He scored 15 Bundesliga goals. This helped Union Berlin qualify for Europe and made other clubs notice him.
Nottingham Forest
This great form led him back to the Premier League in June 2022 as newly-promoted Nottingham Forest broke their transfer record to sign him for £17.5 million.
Taiwo Awoniyi started well on his first game against Newcastle United. While he didn’t score in his actual debut, he scored his first goal for the club in his home debut on August 14, 2022, against West Ham.
His goal gave Forest their first Premier League home win in almost three decades.
Taiwo Awoniyi got 10 important league goals in his first season, including the goal that kept Forest in the league. Even with some injuries, his form in the 2025/26 season has been excellent. This has made his status solid and helped grow the Taiwo Awoniyi net worth.
International Career (Super Eagles)
Awoniyi’s time with the Nigerian Super Eagles follows the regular path with the likes of Osimhen.
He first shined on the world stage with the Golden Eaglets, winning the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, and he got the Silver Ball award.
He moved up through the U-20 and U-23 teams before his senior debut in 2021. Since then, he has become a trusted player for the Super Eagles.
Taiwo Awoniyi Net Worth
As of November 2025, Taiwo Awoniyi net worth is estimated at €6 million, making him one of the richest footballers in Nigeria. This money comes from a smart and hard-working career.
Most of Taiwo Awoniyi net worth is connected to his long-awaited success in the Premier League where he bagged several endorsement deals and multi-million pounds contracts.
Contract and Salary
The main source of the Taiwo Awoniyi net worth is his football contracts. His record £17.5 million move to Nottingham Forest came with a big salary. It is £50,000 per week which sums up to £2.6 million every year. This is much more than he earned in Germany.
Bonuses for goals also add more to this figure. Although his early loan spells paid less, but they were important steps to this financial high point. All these contracts together are the center of the Taiwo Awoniyi net worth.
Endorsement
Besides his salary, endorsements and business deals add to his money. In 2024, he became a brand ambassador for Dettol Cool in Nigeria. This partnership uses his good image and many social media followers. He does not have a big global sportswear deal, but his social media posts can earn a lot from sponsors.
Also, his charity work includes projects like his support for the Kwara Kiddies YEG League, a youth contest in Nigeria. This investment in local football is kind, but it also makes his brand stronger and ties him to his home.
When we look at Taiwo Awoniyi net worth, these endorsements and community projects are important. They are smaller parts that give both money and social value.
Personal Life
Away from professional football, Taiwo Awoniyi’s life is about faith and family. He is a devoted Christian. He often says his faith guides him and gives him strength.
Taiwo Awoniyi has a tradition of showing Bible verses on his shinpads or shirts after scoring, with the verse Psalms 3:5 used often. The verse reads; “I lie down and sleep, and all night long the Lord protects me.”
Talking about family, Taiwo Awoniyi is married to his childhood sweetheart, Taiye Jesudun. They have a deep connection from their school days in Ilorin.
After a several years of dating, the couple finally tied the knot in June 2018, with an engagement and traditional wedding in Kabba, followed by a white wedding in Ilorin.
The couple has two children together. Their first child, a son named Emmanuel, was born on October 16, 2020. They welcomed their second child on Saturday, August 12, 2023, which notably coincided with Awoniyi’s 26th birthday.
Wrapping up, Taiwo Awoniyi’s path from the local fields of Ilorin to the Premier League is a powerful story of belief and hard work.
His career had a long and frustrating loan journey. It ended with a big record transfer to Nottingham Forest. There, he is a loved player and key to their goals.
The financial result of this journey is the Taiwo Awoniyi net worth, estimated at €6 million. This is a real sign of his success and value in the world’s most popular league.
