Steve Cooper reacts to Nottingham Forest concluding move for Taiwo Awoniyi

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Nottingham Forest have smashed their club-record transfer fee with the signing of Taiwo Awoniyi. Steve Cooper has spoken of his delight at the deal coming to fruition.

The striker signs from Union Berlin for a fee of £17.2 million and becomes Forest’s first signing of the summer. He smashed 20 goals in all competitions last season.

Awoniyi came sixth in the race to win the Bundesliga golden boot. His 15 goals in the league saw Union Berlin claim an unexpected place in the Europa League.

Cooper has moved quickly to land a key target. He was recently quoted £15 million for Keinan Davis who spent the second half of last season on loan at the City Ground.

Forest will undoubtedly feel that Awoniyi is an upgrade to Davis. Awoniyi has the power and strength that the Aston Villa man possessed but he also scores plenty of goals.

Awoniyi was previously on the books at Liverpool. During his time at Anfield, he struggled for game time though and spent his days on the books out on loan.

Now, he’s a three-time Nigeria international and naturally that has helped him win a work permit to join Forest as they try to enjoy a sound season in the Premier League.

Forest won the race to sign Awoniyi ahead of high-profile clubs. RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Borrusia Dortmund all considered making bids for the 24-year-old.

Steve Cooper reacts as Nottingham Forest sign Taiwo Awoniyi

The Reds head coach is delighted. Clearly, this was a primary target and he’s been discussing exactly why the Reds moved to sign Awoniyi ahead of other clubs this summer.

He told the club’s official website: “There’s been a lot of interest in Taiwo from other Premier League clubs, and other clubs across Europe, so we’re delighted that he’s chosen, Nottingham Forest.

“Our recruitment and coaching teams have been monitoring his progress closely over the last few months. He’s a player who we really believe in and we look forward to him going on to fulfil his potential and become a top Premier League striker with Nottingham Forest.”

The Reds talisman will join straight in with pre-season training which commences in the next week and he’s the first signing since the club returned to the Premier League.