Taiwo Awoniyi reveals different positions before shifting to striker’s role

Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has discussed his football career including his preferred position before switching to play as a striker.

Awoniyi, who turns out for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, has revealed he started playing football as a defender when he was young, and later moved to the midfield role before he eventually became a striker.

Awoniyi further explained how he landed the striker’s position.

‘I always played in different positions’

“When I was younger, I always played in different positions. I started in defence before moving into midfield and eventually to striker,” Awoniyi told Forest’s official website.

“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,” he added.

‘I always wanted to play in Premier League’

On his stint with Liverpool as a youngster, Awoniyi said: “Being with Liverpool helped me be who I am today as well. Like I said, I always wanted to play in the Premier League and play in England, and by joining Liverpool, I had that opportunity.

“I was hoping to play, but it didn’t happen, so I had to go on loan, which was challenging. I had a number of loans in different countries, but it helped me to understand different cultures and different people.”

Awoniyi added: “It helped me understand more about football and experience what players can go through when they’re on loan.

“I was still young and going through it with the hope of making it in the Premier League. The loans helped me develop as a player, but after all those moves, I said to myself that that would be the last.”

So far this season, Awoniyi has made 10 Premier League appearances for Forest, scoring one goal, without an assist. He signed for Forest on a five-year deal from Union Berlin.

He scored his first Premier League goal in a 1-0 win against West Ham United, and later scored the winning goal in a 1-0 home victory against former club Liverpool.

Taiwo Awoniyi reveals different positions before shifting to striker role

Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has opened up about his football journey, revealing the different positions he played earlier in his career before eventually settling as a striker.

The Nottingham Forest forward explained that he did not start his career as a striker. Instead, Taiwo Awoniyi began playing as a defender during his early days before moving into midfield and eventually transitioning to the attacking role he is known for today.

Speaking about his early development in football, Taiwo Awoniyi revealed that his ability to play in multiple positions helped shape him into the player he has become.

Awoniyi’s journey through different positions

The Super Eagles forward explained that his early football experiences involved playing in several areas of the pitch.

“When I was younger, I always played in different positions. I started in defence before moving into midfield and eventually to striker,” Taiwo Awoniyi told Nottingham Forest’s official website.

According to Taiwo Awoniyi, a trial experience played a key role in influencing his transition into the striker position.

“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.”

The Nigerian forward admitted that his childhood dream was initially different.

“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,” he explained.

The experience of playing multiple roles on the pitch helped Taiwo Awoniyi develop tactical awareness and versatility, qualities that have contributed to his growth as a professional footballer.

Liverpool move played a key role

Taiwo Awoniyi also spoke about his time with Liverpool, a move that helped shape his career despite the challenges he faced while trying to break into the first team.

The striker joined Liverpool as a young player but spent several seasons away from the club on loan spells across Europe.

“Being with Liverpool helped me be who I am today as well. Like I said, I always wanted to play in the Premier League and play in England, and by joining Liverpool, I had that opportunity,” Taiwo Awoniyi said.

However, the Nigerian striker admitted that the journey was not easy.

“I was hoping to play, but it didn’t happen, so I had to go on loan, which was challenging. I had a number of loans in different countries, but it helped me to understand different cultures and different people.”

During that period, Taiwo Awoniyi played in several European leagues including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, gaining valuable experience that helped him mature both as a player and as a person.

Loan spells helped Awoniyi grow

Reflecting on that stage of his career, Taiwo Awoniyi believes the loan spells played a major role in his development.

“It helped me understand more about football and experience what players can go through when they’re on loan,” he said.

The striker explained that adapting to different teams and playing styles helped him grow stronger mentally.

“I was still young and going through it with the hope of making it in the Premier League. The loans helped me develop as a player, but after all those moves, I said to myself that that would be the last.”

Nottingham Forest role and current season

Taiwo Awoniyi eventually made his Premier League breakthrough after joining Nottingham Forest from German club Union Berlin, where he enjoyed a successful spell in the Bundesliga.

Since arriving in England, Taiwo Awoniyi has played an important role in Nottingham Forest’s attacking setup.

So far this season, Taiwo Awoniyi has made 10 Premier League appearances for Forest, scoring one goal.

The Nigerian striker previously made headlines when he scored his first Premier League goal in a 1-0 win against West Ham United.

He also found the net against his former club Liverpool, scoring the decisive goal in a memorable 1-0 victory at the City Ground.

As Taiwo Awoniyi continues his journey in English football, the striker remains determined to improve and contribute to Nottingham Forest’s ambitions in the Premier League.