Liverpool completed the signing of 18-year-old Nigerian centre-forward Taiwo Awoniyi this summer, and the former Imperial Academy star is primed for a bright future in the Premier League.
“This is the biggest club in the world and I’m privileged to be here,” he said on his arrival.
“I’ll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I’ll be able to add value to the team.
“When I’m in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy.”
Spending the 2015/16 season on loan with 2 Bundesliga side FSV Frankfurt with a view to securing a UK work permit, Awoniyi is saying all of the right things after spurning reported interest from Porto and AS Monaco.
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If his father had his wish, Awoniyi would not be a footballer.
“It was miserable for me any time my dad caught me playing football or got to know that I went to play football,” the 18-year-old recalled of his upbringing in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital in western Nigeria.
“In school, I was a very intelligent student and my dad wanted me to be a doctor. My teachers and my fellow students called me doctor but they also knew that I was very good when it came to playing football.
“My father tried severally to stop me from football but my other siblings and twin sister especially, always covered up for me.”
But following his son’s big-money move to Merseyside, Solomon Awoniyi will be proud that the lofty centre-forward has achieve a degree of success.
Making his name in the Imperial Academy, founded in 2009 by former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Seyi Olofinjana, Awoniyi was soon picked up by Nigerian international bosses, garnering the praise of former Arsenal striker, Nwankwo Kanu.
Drawing comparisons to legendary Nigerian forward Rashidi Yekini, Awoniyi has remained humble.
“I am not under any pressure. I will play my game and whatever will be will surely be,” he said in July.
“It is an honour to be compared to a legend like Rashidi Yekini and for Nigerians to expect so much from me.
“I will not shy away from any responsibility given me but only God can tell what I will be. All I know is that I will continue to work hard and leave the rest to God.”
An intelligent, well-grounded young player, Awoniyi still harbours hope of earning a university degree in the future, but his education may have to take a backseat while his footballing potential skyrockets.
Taiwo Awoniyi came to limelight after winning the FIFA U-17 Football World Cup with his Nigerian team mates in the UAE two years ago.
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