Taiwo Awoniyi Player Thread (LFC -> Union Berlin)

Liverpool Football Club have confirmed the signing of Taiwo Awoniyi.

The 18-year-old joins the Reds having previously represented Imperial Academy in Nigeria.

Awoniyi has immediately joined 2 Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt on loan.             

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “This is the biggest club in the world and I’m privileged to be here.

“I’ll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I’ll be able to add value to the team.

“When I’m in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy.”

The striker is a regular for Nigeria’s youth teams and currently represents their U23 side, who are aiming to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games.

He has also played for the Super Eagles at the U17 and U20 World Cups and earned a call-up for the senior Nigeria squad in 2013.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/192974-reds-complete-signing-of-taiwo-awoniyi


Didn't see a thread for the kid, excuse me if I missed it! I Don't know anything specifically about him but have been impressed by the Nigerian youth teams over the past few tournaments, and he apparently has played a big role.

Going out on loan to FSV Frankfurt in 2 Bundesliga, hope he gets some PT!

Best of luck to him, maybe we'll see him in the next couple of years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byWdLcz2XyE

Isn't he eligible for a work permit after playing in Germany for a season?

Hopefully he lives up to his show reel.

Welcome home Taiwo, work hard YNWA

Good aspect of this deal is he's getting first team minutes. You can't go wrong with a move to Germany, either. Quality football -- and coaching -- at every level.

Good luck Taiwo, train hard, listen and learn.... It would be amazing to one day see a Naija boy in a Liverpool Shirt... got my fingers crossed for your omo boy

Saying all the right things, Good luck Taiwo Awoniyi, Lets hope we have nabbed ourselves our very own Drogba.

Good luck Taiwo, train hard, listen and learn.... It would be amazing to one day see a Naija boy in a Liverpool Shirt... got my fingers crossed for your omo boy

We did see a Naija boy in a Liverpool Shirt. Victor Moses. Unfortunately, he was massively disrespected.. and I hope this Naija boy doesn't face the same treatment.

We did see a Naija boy in a Liverpool Shirt. Victor Moses. Unfortunately, he was massively disrespected.. and I hope this Naija boy doesn't face the same treatment.

Disrespected oh do F**k off!!!

It's because he was F***ing crap.

Disrespected oh do f**k off!!!

It's because he was f**king crap.

Don't always agree with HR but he's spot on here. Not only crap, but completely poor attitude as well.

Don't always agree with HR but he's spot on here. Not only crap, but completely poor attitude as well.

Going to agree with the 2 posters above on this one.

In fact, I'd say the fella "disrespected" both the club and the supporters.

I was very disappointed with Moses. He has some talent about him but he just never really applied himself much here. Good thing it was a loan and not a transfer.

We did see a Naija boy in a Liverpool Shirt. Victor Moses. Unfortunately, he was massively disrespected.. and I hope this Naija boy doesn't face the same treatment.

?

He wasn't disrespected

He was sh*te like though...

?

He wasn't disrespected

He was sh*te like though...

Well I suppose you get what you pay for! Or don't pay for in this case!

Liverpool Youngster Taiwo Awoniyi Set to Join NEC Nijmegen on Loan

Liverpool are set to send out a third youngster this week out on loan with Taiwo Awoniyi set to join NEC Nijmegen in the Netherlands on a loan deal, according to the ​Liverpool Echo.

The Nigerian youngster joined the Merseyside team last summer, and was immediately sent out on loan to FSV Frankfurt in the German second division. During his time there he made 14 appearances, mostly from the substitutes bench, scoring one goal, and Liverpool are keen to let him develop more in another loan move.

This would mark the third youngster to leave Anfield on loan with young Brazilian Allan Rodrigues de Souza joining Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan deal, while Ryan Kent has joined Barnsley on another loan deal

The Reds are keen to send the 18-year-old to a club in Europe to help him secure a UK work permit, and despite interest from Hajduk Split in Croatia and Tondela in Portugal, as well as a number of clubs in Germany, it is understood that Nijmegen is his likely destination.

The Eredivisie side are managed by Peter Hyballa, a German who was the U19s coach at Borussia Dortmund for three years while Reds boss Jürgen Klopp was in charge of the first team, helping in the development of Mario Gotze. He has also managed Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-rated youth side.

Hyballa said, "I've worked with Jürgen Klopp. I was under 19's coach at Borussia Dortmund. We worked together very well. He's bigger than me. He has a little more experience and prizes."

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-youngster-taiwo-awoniyi-set-11669027

Another youngster to go out on loan to a team managed by someone who previously worked for Klopp or that he's known for quite some time. Good to see there's a clear strategy in place for the youngsters sent out on loan too. Can only help them in their development and they'll know Klopp will keep a close eye on them. That's a big difference with the last few seasons too I think.

He will be replacing Anthony Limbombe at Nijmegen, he was transferred to FC Bruges a few days ago, so he'll be sure to get plenty of time on the pitch.

Scored a hat trick and got 2 assists on his debut in a 5-0 thrashing of FC Kleve.

Was only a friendly but that's a great start for him.

Scored a hat trick and got 2 assists on his debut in a 5-0 thrashing of FC Kleve.

Was only a friendly but that's a great start for him.

Happy days, getting the opportunity to play and develop, keep it up Taiwo and hopefully we'll get to see him in a red shirt in the future.

He has been loaned out again. Not eligible for a work permit yet. He played 22 games for NEC Nijmegen, scoring 3 goals in a total of about 1.000 minutes of playing time. (It's an official Belgian source, can't seem to find an English one.)



Royal Excel. Moscron are in the Jupiler Pro League (first division of Belgium), same level as Sint-Truiden, the team Allan played for two seasons ago. I have never actually seen him play. If they are playing a decent team, I might have a look at the lad when he's playing.

Small update on the lad! He has certainly started well here in Belgium. He scored the 0-1 in a 0-2 win over Lokeren last week (his first game for them). I managed to watch today's game against AA Gent (a team some of you may know, they beat Spurs at home and managed a 2-2 draw at Wembley last season in the Europa League.) Gent is off to a horrible start this season. They went up 0-2 in the first half, but were given a red card.

Taiwo played pretty well. Worked hard, always busy making himself available. Wasn't much of a goal threat today though, he had one really good shot. He was important for Moscron's first goal by chasing down the goalkeeper and he gave the assist for the 2-2. Should've had two assists to be honest, a bad miss by one of his teammates prevented that. He's also a lot stronger than I thought he would be, sometimes holding of 2 or 3 defenders at a time. One of the analysts after the game went as far as saying that if he keeps up this level of playing, he probably won't be playing in Belgium anymore after Christmas. Probably a bit over the top, that comment, but shows that he has played well in his first two games here.

Forgot to update this one with his game from before the international break.

They played away at K.V. Kortrijk, midtable team that started the season reasonably well. Bagged an assist again and really should've had a second assist that game. So far 1 goal and 2 assists in his first 3 starts, not bad at all. Was a bit more of a goal threat this game compared to the game at Gent. He's a lot better than I thought he would be and he has proven to be a real handful for the opposition defences so far. The game ended 1-1. He works hard, is involved in a lot of good stuff and his team are one of the big surprises so far in the Belgian league. They were nailed on to get relegated and they're in 5th now with 10 points out of 5 games.

They are playing Club Brugge, who are top of the league, at home this weekend, I'll be watching that game too. 

Been a bit busier during the weekends than I expected, so sadly enough haven't been able to watch his games and can't find any recordings.

What I can do is update his numbers though!

He started the Club Brugge game two weeks ago. They actually won that game and were the first team so far to beat Club Brugge 2-1. No goal and assist and taken off around the hour mark for what looks to be a defender to defend the one goal lead.

Last week he started again against Zulte-Waregem (decent team, they're in the EL and had just played Nice)  and played the full 90. He opened the score 0-1 but they ended up losing the game 2-1.

Midweek they had a cup game against Tubize. They won the game 3-1 and he scored the opener again, playing an other full game.

So they're currently ranked 6th out of 16 teams. They continue to play well and he has been a big part of that. Have to admit I didn't think he'd make such a big impact after seeing his numbers at NEC Nijmegen.

So total:

6 starts
5 full games
3 goals
2 assists

Missed his game from last week, a 3-2 win against Eupen. No goal or assist and substituted in minute 88.

Finally managed to see his team play again for a bit and got to see the 2nd half of Mouscron - Mechelen. Sadly enough his team was 2-0 up already, he scored the second and his team allowed Mechelen to have the ball, so not much to say. He had one more good opportunity where he lost control of the ball a bit while trying to get a one vs one with the goalkeeper, could have been a goal. He was taken off at the 74th minute right after his team conceded the 2-1. Game ended 2-2.

His team are still 3rd in the league after conceding 15 goals in 9 games, unbelievable. For comparison: the teams around them have conceded 6, 8 and 8.

Working point: his running lines (not sure if they're called that in English), movement off the ball. He tends to wrongly time his runs from time to time and close the space for his teammate. Obviously something that can easily be worked on, but something I noticed a few times.

Updated stats:

8 starts
5 full games
4 goals
2 assists

Not bad at all, already doing better than his time at Nijmegen.

Having a good season in Belgium. Club anticipate it may take another year for him to get a work permit, and so will try to loan him next season to a club from France, Italy, Spain or Germany that is playing in the Europa League.

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1019265533429108737

Dude has hit a bit of form at Royal excel Mouscron 5 goals in 6 games.

Step up for him going to Mainz,another reason to watch the german league i guess.

Step up for him going to Mainz,another reason to watch the german league i guess.

He looks like a beast. Hopefully this is the key to getting him a UK work permit.

ouch,https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53044490.

Liverpool forward Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well after suffering a head injury during loan club FSV Mainz 05's Bundesliga clash with Augsburg.

The 22-year-old had to be stretchered off midway through the first half of Sunday’s match due to an accidental collision and subsequent heavy fall.

Awoniyi was taken to hospital and underwent a scan, which revealed no break, and he remained there overnight for further monitoring.

The medical teams at both Liverpool and Mainz have been in contact regarding Awoniyi’s injury and will continue to assess him before any return to action.

What a scoring machine at Union Berlin!

What a scoring machine at Union Berlin!

Looks like a fixture in tje first XI and, yes, among the goals of late.. Hes built like a bowling ball (lanes).

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/04/union-berlin-plan-new-heights-bundesliga

Article about his loan club, Union Berlin. I haven't studied the work permit protocols but if he's a first team regular in Germany he should qualify by the end of the season, yes? He's becoming quite a force offensively over there. I had assumed he was just being prepared for selling, but now I wonder if he might fight for a place in our team come this summer.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/04/union-berlin-plan-new-heights-bundesliga

Article about his loan club, Union Berlin. I haven't studied the work permit protocols but if he's a first team regular in Germany he should qualify by the end of the season, yes? He's becoming quite a force offensively over there. I had assumed he was just being prepared for selling, but now I wonder if he might fight for a place in our team come this summer.

could be a prospect yes, might be exciting to see him upfront alongside harvey elliott

Celtic and Rangers both want to sign him apparently

Celtic and Rangers both want to sign him apparently

Loan or permanent?

Lad is tearing up the Bundesliga this season.

Why the F**k isn't he here he's our player for years?

Lad is tearing up the Bundesliga this season.

Why the f**k isn't he here he's our player for years?

Work permit. This spell in Germany should help that unlesd brexit has fu**ed all that up to...lad will be 29 making his debut

Lad is tearing up the Bundesliga this season.

Why the f**k isn't he here he's our player for years?

Because even if he had a work permit he'd be a waste of a roster spot. He'd be too good to be with the U23s but not good enough to play on the first team, like a Brewster situation.

And 5 goals in 14 games is not "tearing it up", but good for him to have found a starting spot on a team. That doesn't mean he should be here.

He's an odd one for sure. You'd think we would have just released him or sold him given these work permit issues. Only thing I can think of is that people rate him within the club and think there's a chance he'd get a permit soon?

He's an odd one for sure. You'd think we would have just released him or sold him given these work permit issues. Only thing I can think of is that people rate him within the club and think there's a chance he'd get a permit soon?

I imagine it'll be like that kid Allan we signed a few years ago. Loaned him out for a few years to help with his work permit situation then eventually sold.

Because even if he had a work permit he'd be a waste of a roster spot. He'd be too good to be with the U23s but not good enough to play on the first team, like a Brewster situation.

And 5 goals in 14 games is not "tearing it up", but good for him to have found a starting spot on a team. That doesn't mean he should be here.

5 goals 3 assists in his last 9 games since getting a starting spot in the team.

That's pretty impressive in the Bundesliga by all accounts he's a big reason why Union Berlin are in really good form and CL place contention.

Completed his move to Union Berlin.  £6.5M.

Best of luck to the lad.

I never realised he was on our books until a few months ago. Then he gets his work permit, then we f*ck him off  Hope he enjoyed his time on our Wikipedia page!

I never realised he was on our books until a few months ago. Then he gets his work permit, then we f*ck him off  Hope he enjoyed his time on our Wikipedia page!

Likewise.

Seen a pic of him in Twitter at training and thought he was a CB

Completed his move to Union Berlin.  £6.5M.

Best of luck to the lad.

Another Edwards miracle sale.

Think we got the lad for 500k

He’ll always have a place in my heart as the lad who got me £7 million without fail on every Fifa career mode second season.

He’ll always have a place in my heart as the lad who got me £7 million without fail on every Fifa career mode second season.

 

Just scored twice in 4 mins - wow

Rumors he will be joining Nottingham Forrest which means trigger the sell-on clause.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/18/nottingham-forest-transfer-news-taiwo-awoniyi

Rumors he will be joining Nottingham Forrest which means trigger the sell-on clause.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/18/nottingham-forest-transfer-news-taiwo-awoniyi

Move has completed. Will be a player I will look out for next season, I was keen to see him get a go with us but never happened. He's looked good at Union Berlin, he has the attributes to do well for Forest.

Scored his first Premier League for Forest today against the Hammers.

Couldn't miss admittedly but it was a proper poachers finish.

Scored his first Premier League for Forest today against the Hammers.

Couldn't miss admittedly but it was a proper poachers finish.

Right place right time after Lingard miss hit the ball right into his path