Nottingham Forest have revealed their squad for the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League, notably leaving out Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi, while including compatriot Ola Aina. The absence of Awoniyi, who has been sidelined by increased attacking competition at the club, marks a significant shift in Forest’s continental plans.
High-profile names such as Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Douglas Luiz, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, and Arnaud Kalimuendo feature prominently in the list submitted to UEFA.
Editorial
We feel Taiwo Awoniyi’s exclusion from the Europa League squad speaks volumes about the evolving dynamics at Nottingham Forest. From the moment he arrived, expectations were high but football is ever-changing, and this summer’s arrivals of Kalimuendo and Igor Jesus appear to have catapulted them ahead in the queue.
Awoniyi’s omission is more than a measure of form; it may signal a crossroads in his Forest career. Left out of Europe’s debut list, yet still contracted until 2027, he faces a personal and professional dilemma. Will he accept the fight for minutes, or seek a move that reinstates him as a starting forward elsewhere?
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Yet, this moment isn’t solely about setbacks it could become a defining turning point. A fresh environment might rekindle his confidence; alternately, a response at Forest could become a rallying cry. Whichever path he takes, we believe his next chapter must be carefully chosen with clarity, ambition, and determination.
Did You Know?
- Taiwo Awoniyi made history by becoming the first Forest player since Stan Collymore in 1995 to score in six consecutive Premier League matches.
- He was recovering from an induced coma following emergency abdominal surgery in May 2025—a recovery that allowed him to return to the pitch by pre-season.
- Nottingham Forest clinched European qualification for the first time in 29 years at the end of the 2024–25 Premier League season.
- Forest earned a spot in this season’s Europa League not through domestic results but following Crystal Palace’s demotion, due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
- Despite being omitted from Forest’s European squad, Awoniyi is still under contract at the club until June 2027, providing flexibility in his future career options.
