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By: Abiodun Adewale
Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has termed the just-concluded 2023/24 English Premier League season as ‘another year to remember’ after Nottingham Forest escaped relegation for the second successive season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Awoniyi came on as a late substitute in their last game of the season at Burnley, which they won 2-1, thanks to two first half goals from Chris Wood. Another result wouldn’t have changed their status though, as Luton Town, who dragged their survival to the last day of the season failed to beat Fulham as expected.
The 26-year-old endured an injury-ravaged season which limited his contribution to just six goals and three assists in 20 games. He sat out 18 games as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to injuries.
Despite that, he was grateful to God for a successful season.
“After all is said and done. I’m who I am because of you (God). See you next season @premierleague,” the player wrote on Facebook.
“Another year to remember again. You deserve it, Nottingham Forest. Thanks for your support always and for helping us to push through. You truly the best, You RED,” he added.
Awoniyi’s message also suggests he could still be with Forest or even remain in the EPL next season.
The Nigerian has been tipped as one of the players the Tricky Trees might be forced to sell in order to avoid another Financial Fair Play breach.
Forests were handed a four-point deduction towards the end of the 2023/24 season for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. According to the Premier League, the City Ground landlords admitted breaching PSR by £34.5m above their permitted threshold of £61m.
The club are said to be at risk of breaching financial rules again next season if they don’t sell one of their top stars in the summer and as such Awoniyi has been noted among one of the top players that the club co-owner Evangelos Marinakis could be forced to sell ahead of next season.
Awoniyi joined the Tricky Trees from Union Berlin for a club-record fee in the region of £17.5m in June 2022 and his market value currently stands at €28.00m according to Transfermarkt.
Last season, despite being slowed down by injury as well, Awoniyi spearheaded Forest’s survival with six goals in the last four games and finished the season with 10 goals and one assist.