The latest Nottingham Forest headlines brought to you by NottinghamshireLive on June 26...
Forest announce first summer signing with club record deal
Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
The 24-year-old striker has completed his transfer to the City Ground after days of speculation about a move to Trentside. Awoniyi, a Nigerian international, underwent a medical on Thursday (June 23) before his move was announced by the club on Saturday morning.
Forest have confirmed Awoniyi's transfer as a club record fee after the forward's £17million release clause was triggered by the Reds.
Awoniyi scored 25 times for Union Berlin after signing from Liverpool in 2021 and will now lead the line for Forest next season.
He has had various spells at different clubs across his career, with loan stints at Mouscron, Gent, Mainz 05 and Berlin before leaving the Merseyside club last summer on a permanent basis without a single appearance.
He now enjoys a more permanent home having signed a five-year contract to stay at the City Ground until 2027.
Liverpool fans say the same thing as Reds complete stunning transfer
Liverpool fans have made a bold prediction about how Taiwo Awoniyi will fare at Nottingham Forest this season.
The 24-year-old is returning to the Premier League after completing a club record fee move to the City Ground. Awoniyi kicked off his his professional career at Liverpool, signing for the Merseyside club in 2015, before experiencing several loan moves away from Anfield due to issues in sourcing a work permit to make him eligible to play in England.
After several years of being unable to play in the Premier League, Liverpool fans are looking forward to seeing what Awoniyi can offer.
One fan said: "Always nice to see our academy kids go on and do well. Wish him the best." Another described Awoniyi as a Liverpool "legend" despite never playing for the Reds.
A third supporter said: "I watched a bit of him in the Bundesliga last season and looked good but it’s a lot of pressure. Glad he finally gets to play in the Prem though."
Former Nottingham Forest boss lands Premier League job
Former Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton has been appointed first-team assistant coach at Premier League club West Ham United.
Warburton was in charge of Queens Park Rangers last season, guiding them to a top-half finish in the Championship before leaving the club at the end of the campaign. He will now take up his new role when the Hammers return for pre-season training at the weekend and will join Billy McKinlay, Paul Nevin, Kevin Nolan and Xavi Valero on David Moyes’ coaching team.
“It’s a huge privilege to be joining West Ham United to work as part of David Moyes’ backroom staff," said Warburton. “West Ham have made incredible progress in recent seasons, continually making forward strides to move the club in a positive direction.
“I am excited about coming in and adding my own experience and know-how to what is an incredibly strong coaching team here.”
Fresh Forest transfer 'whispers' emerge about Premier League player
Nottingham Forest are reportedly eyeing up outgoing Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The Reds are searching for a new goalkeeper after Brice Samba rejected the offer of a new contract and informed the club of his desire to be sold this summer. Manchester United's Dean Henderson looks set to follow Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi through the entrance door at the City Ground, but Forest could be in the market for another man between the sticks.
The claim comes from talkSPORT's Alex Crook, who said on Saturday afternoon: "I am hearing whispers that John Ruddy could also be coming in as another option in the goalkeeping department."
Ruddy is set to become a free agent next month when his Wolves contract expires. It brings an end to five years of service at Molineux following his move to the Black Country from Norwich City in July 2017. The 35-year-old has featured 72 times in all competitions for Wolves and has more than 122 Premier League appearances to his name, most of which (116) came whilst playing for Norwich.
