Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has revealed that he could have played in centre-back before opting for a more forward role in his career.
The Super Eagles forward began his career at the Imperial Soccer Academy, before joining Liverpool as the first club of his senior career.
He went on loan to different clubs during his time at the Reds, before eventually joining Union Berlin on a permanent deal in 2021.
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However, he secured a return to the Premier League in 2022 with Nottingham Forest, although a move in the summer is not entirely ruled out due to lack of playing minutes.
What Taiwo Awoniyi said
Speaking during an interview, Awoniyi opened up about his previous desire to become a centre-back, before going ahead to play as a striker in his career.
“When I was younger, I always played in different positions. I started in defence before moving into midfield and eventually to striker”, Awoniyi said.
“Once, when I went to a trial, we were short of a player so I had to play as a 10 and a striker as well. I scored goals then as well, so since then I always wanted to be a centre forward.
Before being a forward, I wanted to be a centre back. I always enjoyed playing there with my friends, but further down the line I wanted to be a forward and I’ve played there ever since. When I was at trials, one of my coaches told me, ‘I know you’re a forward but I think you’re smart enough to play anywhere”, he continued.
“And on that day we were short of a defender so he asked me to play as a centre back and I did OK. After that, I always thought that if I couldn’t be a forward, I would be a defender.”
The Nigerian forward also expressed delight over his transfer to Forest back in 2022 after enjoying an impressive stint with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga.
“When the opportunity came to join Forest, I was at Union Berlin, a fantastic club. It was quite similar to Forest; it was a family club”, Awoniyi added.
“They brought me from Liverpool and backed me, but I was ready to go and had my bag packed in Germany when I was coming back to England.
“I was so excited to see what the City Ground was all about. It motivated me to come back to the Premier League, and I’m so thankful I chose to join Forest”, the Super Eagles star concluded.
Awoniyi will be hoping for more minutes for the Tricky Trees when they take to the field for their next game against Midtjylland in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg on Thursday.
