Taiwo Awoniyi ends journeyman stay at Liverpool

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has ended his journeyman career at Liverpool after a permanent move to Union Berlin, ACLSports can confirm.

The German club on Tuesday announced that Awoniyi had returned to the club, putting an end to his unsuccessful six years romance with Liverpool. 

“FC Union Berlin have completed the signing of Taiwo Awoniyi from Liverpool,” the German club said in a statement on their official website. 

He joined the Anfield side as an 18-year-old from Imperial Academy in 2015 but spent his time at the club on several loan spells in Germany, Holland, and Belgium.

He spent all that time on loan, with moves to FSV Frankfurt (Germany), NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands), KAA Gent and Royal Mouscron (both Belgium) and Mainz 05 (Germany). 

In his return to the Bundesliga last season on another loan, this time at the then newly promoted Union Berlin, he went on to impress at the club, helping them seal a ticket to UEFA’s newly created Europa Conference League.

Despite an injury ravaged campaign, his five goals were enough to convince the club to bring him back to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on a permanent stay.

“I  owe so much to Union, so it makes me happy and proud to be back here. It’s fantastic to continue on the great path with the club. I will give everything to quickly pick up where I was before my injury,“ Awoniyi said. 

“After lots of loan moves in previous years, I want to finally come and have a home,” the 24-year-old added. 

Speaking on behalf of the club was director of the club, Oliver Ruhnert, who was full of praise for their new signing.

“We got to know Taiwo last season and we became sure of his qualities. His robustness, his dedication and his unconditional willingness to learn and develop were the deciding factors for us to give everything to make this transfer happen,” Ruhnert said. 

Awoniyi will travel to the team’s training camp in Tirol on Tuesday and he will wear the number 14 shirt for the 2021/22 campaign.