I used to make my own football boots’, Awoniyi reflects on tough beginnings

Taiwo Awoniyi, Nottingham Forest’s number 9, has opened up about the difficult journey that took him from the streets of Ilorin, Nigeria, to the Premier League.

Speaking to Nottingham Forest media and reflecting on his early days, the Super Eagles forward revealed that he often walked an hour each way to training as a young boy at the Unicorn Academy, and making his training boots himself

It was really difficult getting football boots, going to training, getting money for transport — it was difficult,” he said.

“Sometimes I had to make my boots myself; I would go and get boots that were left over and make them up.”

Despite the challenges, Awoniyi remained determined to pursue his dream of playing at the highest level. His father eventually helped with equipment, but playing on sand and substandard pitches was a constant hurdle.

For me, I had to travel from my father’s house to training, which, as I said, was an hour away, and I had to do that every day,” he added.

Before settling into his role as a striker, Awoniyi experimented with multiple positions on the pitch.

“When I was younger, I always played in different positions. I started in defence before moving into midfield and eventually to striker. Once, when we were short at a trial, I had to play as a number 10 and as a striker. I scored goals then as well, so since then I always wanted to be a centre forward.”

His first major break came with Liverpool, where, although he did not feature for the senior team, he gained invaluable experience on loan across several clubs in Europe.

Being with Liverpool helped me be who I am today. The loans helped me develop as a player, but after all those moves I said to myself that that would be the last,” he reflected.

After a spell at Union Berlin, Awoniyi finally returned to England to join Nottingham Forest.

“When the opportunity came to join Forest, I was ready to go and had my bag packed in Germany. 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.”

Awoniyi has not been able to cement his place as the club’s first-choice striker this season as he has struggled with form and injury, featuring in just ten league matches and playing second-fiddle to Chris Wood.

This situation prevented his addition into the Super Eagles team as he was left out of the Super Eagles team that played the 2026 AFCON in Morocco.

Culled from vanguard