The making of Taiwo Awoniyi as Nottingham Forest signing ready for Premier League 'dream'

If Taiwo Awoniyi was feeling any responsibility from becoming Nottingham Forest’s record signing - and the first of their new Premier League era - he certainly didn’t show it.

The forward bore a big, wide grin and had a confident air about him as he was officially unveiled as a Reds player. Posing at the Nigel Doughty Academy and on the City Ground pitch, he looked right at home.

And feeling settled is clearly something which means a lot to the 24-year-old. After signing for Liverpool in 2015, his struggles to secure a work permit resulted in a succession of loan spells.

FSV Frankfurt, NEC, Royal Excel Mouscron, Gent, Mainz 05 and Union Berlin were all calling points during a nomadic six years, before a permanent move to the latter in 2021. Now, he is here for the long-term at Forest, having penned a five-year deal.

“When I look at Forest and look at the history of the club, it’s even more about the team,” he said. “This is the kind of place I love to belong to and I am ready for it.”

He’s ready for the Premier League, too. For all the time he spent on Liverpool’s books, Awoniyi left without making a single appearance in any competition.

Nevertheless, he briefly got the chance to work with Jurgen Klopp - a manager he had always admired - in his final pre-season at Anfield, spending a week at the team’s training camp in Austria. Klopp welcomed him with a big hug and the quip, “what took you so long?!”.

The same could be said about Forest’s return to the top-flight. It has been a long 23 years.

Strengthening his attacking resources was always going to be key for head coach Steve Cooper, once promotion had been secured at Wembley. The Reds need to be able to unlock the tightest of defences if they are going to hold their