Taiwo Awoniyi
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Taiwo Awoniyi Micheal | ||
| Date of birth | 12 August 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Ilorin, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team |
NEC (on loan from Liverpool) | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2015 | Imperial Soccer Academy | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015– | Liverpool | 0 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | → FSV Frankfurt (loan) | 13 | (1) |
| 2016– | → NEC (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2013 | Nigeria U17 | 8 | (4) |
| 2015 | Nigeria U20 | 9 | (7) |
| 2015– | Nigeria U23 | 3 | (2) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 November 2016. | |||
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Taiwo Awoniyi Micheal (born August 12, 1997) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Dutch Side NEC on loan from Premier League club Liverpool. Taiwo's style of play has been compared to that of Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria's all-time highest goalscorer.[1]
Club career
Early career
In 2010, Taiwo was voted the Most Valuable Player at a Coca-Cola football competition in London. His performance at the competition was spotted by Seyi Olofinjana who made him join Imperial Soccer Academy.[2]
Liverpool
On 31 August 2015, Taiwo signed for Liverpool F.C. for a fee of around £400,000 but was immediately loaned out to FSV Frankfurt.[3][4]
Loan to FSV Frankfurt
He made his debut for the club as a late substitute in a German Cup match against Hertha Berlin. After being named as a substitute for six league matches, he made his debut on 19 February 2016, playing 89 minutes against FC St. Pauli.[5]
Loan to NEC
On 26 August 2016, NEC confirmed that he had joined them on a season-long loan and was expected to join the squad the following week after the formalities of his work permit were completed.[6] On 10 September, he made his first competitive debut in the Eredivisie after a 4–0 defeat of NEC to PSV Eindhoven. He was however replaced in the 72nd minute by Michael Heinloth.[7]
International career
Taiwo represented Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup and went on to win the tournament, scoring four goals during the competition.[8] He also represented Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand after winning the 2015 African U-20 Championship in Senegal.[9]
On 12 April 2015, he scored a brace on his debut for the Nigeria U-23 team in a match against Zambia, as his team went on to qualify for the 2015 All African Games.[10]
He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics.[11]
Career statistics
- As of match played 5 November 2016
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Liverpool | 2015–16 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FSV Frankfurt (loan) | 2015–16 | 2. Bundesliga | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 1 | ||
| N.E.C. (loan) | 2016–17 | Eredivisie | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | ||
Honours
International
Recognitions
In recognition for his performance at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup competition, Taiwo along with his team-mates were bestowed with the Member of the Order of the Niger award.[12] It was also reported in the media that there were plans by the Kwara State House of Assembly to name a major street after him.[13]
References
- ↑ Solace Chukwu (14 March 2015). "TAIWO AWONIYI: THE YOUNGSTER LOOKING TO FILL RASHIDI YEKINI'S BIG VOID". Goal.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ "I beat Taiwo Awoniyi to discourage him from football – Dad". Vanguard. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ James Carrol (31 August 2015). "Reds complete signing of Taiwo Awoniyi". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ Press Association (31 August 2015). "Liverpool sign 18-year-old Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ "Liverpool's Awoniyi makes League Debut In Germany". Soccernet. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
- ↑ "NEC hires striker Taiwo Awoniyi". NEC. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ↑ Johnny Edward (10 September 2016). "Nwakaeme Hits Hat-trick, Enyeama Concedes Four, Awoniyi Makes NEC Debut". Nigerian Nation. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
- ↑ "Taiwo Awoniyi: The New Bride of European Clubs". Thisday. 27 June 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ "Nigeria set sights on daring double". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ George Akpayen (12 April 2015). "Awoniyi brace catapults Nigeria U23". SuperSports. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ Oluwashina Okeleji (24 June 2016). "Kelechi Iheanacho included in Nigeria's Olympics squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- ↑ "Awoniyi Overjoyed With MON Award". SL10. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ↑ Demola Akinyemi (11 March 2014). "Kwara to name street after Taiwo Awoniyi". Vanguard. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
External links
- Liverpool F.C. profile
- Taiwo Awoniyi – FIFA competition record
- Taiwo Awoniyi profile at Soccerway
- Taiwo Awoniyi career statistics at Soccerbase
