Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery.
The 27-year-old underwent the procedure after sustaining a serious abdominal injury during Forest`s match against Leicester last Saturday.
Awoniyi suffered the injury following a collision with the goalpost during the 2-2 draw at the City Ground. He received immediate medical attention at the time and continued playing initially.
However, he was eventually forced to leave the pitch, and further assessment revealed the necessity for urgent surgery.
The Nigeria international was taken to hospital, as confirmed on Monday, and initial reports indicated that the surgery had been successful.
He had surgery on Monday night and remains in hospital. The completion of the rest of the procedure was scheduled for Wednesday.
Doctors had hoped to finish the complex procedure on Tuesday but were unable to, which necessitated placing Awoniyi in an induced coma.
Forest released a statement shortly after Awoniyi`s surgery but have not yet provided an update on his current condition, although he is understood to be “recovering well” from the situation.
The statement read:
“Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City. The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first.”
The statement also addressed owner Evangelos Marinakis` strong reaction towards manager Nuno Espirito Santo at the end of the game, which the club stated was due to his frustration over the handling of Awoniyi`s injury.
It continued:
“At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club — it’s family – and he instills that message in all of us. That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own. He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team. In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence. In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch.”
Awoniyi has made 32 appearances for Forest in all competitions this season, scoring two goals for the East Midlands club.
