Taiwo Awoniyi's salary, age, net worth, house, height, wife

Taiwo Awoniyi's salary, age, net worth, house, height, wife

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:55 PM

Many youngsters aspire to become professional footballers when they grow up. For Taiwo Awoniyi, his attachment to the sport is a match made in heaven. The Nigerian striker has caught the attention of top clubs like English Premier League giants Liverpool. This article delves into Taiwo Awoniyi's salary, current club, biography, and much more.

Taiwo Awoniyi's goals
Union Berlin's Nigerian striker, Taiwo, controls the ball during the Bundesliga match against Hertha BSC at Stadion An der Alten Foersterei on 20 November 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Martin Rose
Source: Getty Images

Awoniyi plays for Bundesliga club Union Berlin. He was part of Nigeria's squad featured in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. So, how tall is Taiwo? Is he married? How does he make his riches? Find the answers to all your questions about Awoniyi's worth and more.

Taiwo Awoniyi profile summary

  • Full name: Taiwo Micheal Awoniyi
  • Date of birth: 12 August 1997
  • Place of birth: Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Taiwo Awoniyi's age: 24 (as of February 2022)
  • Zodiac sign: Leo
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Ethnicity: Yoruba
  • Current team: Union Berlin
  • League: Bundesliga
  • Position: Striker
  • Foot: Right
  • Taiwo Awoniyi's height: 183cm
  • Weight: 84 kg
  • Hair colour: Black
  • Eye colour: Black
  • Spouse: Taiwo Jesudun
  • Son: Emmanuel
  • Taiwo Awoniyi's Instagram: @awoniyi18
  • Twitter: @taiwoawoniyi18
  • Net worth: Approximately $1.5 million

Taiwo Awoniyi's biography

The talented striker was born on 12 August 1997 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. His father, Solomon Awoniyi, worked as a police officer and later retired. Taiwo developed a keen interest in football at a young age but faced strong opposition from his parents, who wanted him to pursue medicine.

Taiwo Awoniyi's age
The Union Berlin's player is one of the most sought-after young strikers globally. Photo: @iMiaSanMia7
Source: Twitter

He even received several beatings from his father to discourage him from football. The 24-year-old remained firm in his decision and enrolled at the Imperial Soccer Academy in Ogun state.

Early career

Taiwo graduated from the Imperial Soccer Academy in 2012. He played for Nigeria's national U-15 side and played at the Copacocacola in London. The Union Berlin forward stared at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2013, scoring four goals to help his nation lift the title.

Taiwo Awoniyi's height
Nigeria's Awoniyi in action during the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 Group E match against Hungary at Stadium Taranaki on 7 June 2015 in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Source: Getty Images

He also played an integral part in Nigeria's U20 team at the U20 World Cup tournament in 2015. He netted two goals in the group stage but could not lead his nation past the round of 16 following a disappointing 1-0 defeat by Germany.

European mission

Taiwo's impressive performance at the youth level could not go unnoticed by the ready-to-poach scouts and football fraternity, and the Reds came calling.

How much did Liverpool pay Taiwo Awoniyi?

The Premier League outfit paid around £400,000 for his services, but the Nigerian saw his dream of playing in England take a different twist. The Merseyside club immediately released him to FSV Frankfurt on loan.

Taiwo spent the next six seasons on a series of loans. After completing his spell at FSV Frankfurt, he movied to Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen and Belgium's Mouscron and Gent.

The forward returned to Germany on yet another loan and joined Mainz in the 2019/20 season. Then, on 19 September 2020, he shifted camp to Union Berlin on loan before signing a permanent deal with the club.

Taiwo Awoniyi's team
The Nigerian striker received an award for his services at Union Berlin on 22 May 2021. Photo: @CompleteSports
Source: Twitter

Taiwo Awoniyi's weekly salary

How much is Taiwo Awoniyi's salary? According to sources, the Union Berlin striker earns around $40,000 per week and $2 million per year. His contract with the club runs up to 30 June 2025. Taiwo Awoniyi's net worth is estimated to be $4.2 million, earned from his football fortunes.

National team

One of the top dreams of many footballers is to play for their national teams. Awoniyi made his Super Eagles debut on 7 October 2021 against the Central African Republic in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The talented striker came on at halftime to replace Kelechi Iheanacho. However, they lost 1-0 to their opponents.

Taiwo Awoniyi's AFCON debut

Taiwo Awoniyi's cars
The talented striker celebrates his goal for the Super Eagles. Photo: @awoniyi18
Source: Instagram

The forward made his Afcon debut at the 2021 edition held in Cameroon. He led the attack but failed to light up the scene with goals. However, he scored once at the group stage as Super Eagles bowed out of the competition. The team lost 1-0 to Tunisia in round 16.

Here's a breakdown of his football journey from the academy to Germany.

  • 2010-2015: Imperial Soccer Academy
  • 2013: Nigeria U17
  • 2015: Nigeria U20, U23
  • 2015-2021: Liverpool
  • 2015-2016: FSV Frankfurt (loan)
  • 2016-2017: NEC (loan)
  • 2017-2018: Mouscron (loan)
  • 2018-2019: Gent (loan)
  • 2019: Mouscron (loan)
  • 2019-2020: Mainz 05 (loan)
  • 2020-2021: Union Berlin (loan)
  • 2021-date: Union Berlin
  • 2021-date: Nigeria (Super Eagles)

Is Taiwo Awoniyi married?

Most people believe there is someone for everyone, and behind every succesful man, there stands a woman. The striker is happily married to his long-term girlfriend, Taiwo Jesudun.

Jesudun and Taiwo Awoniyi's wedding ceremony was held at the God's Grace Foundation Church in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on 16 June 2018. Prominent guests included Chidera Ezeh, Godwin Saviour, and Awoniyi's former Nigerian U17 teammates.

The lovely couple has a son, Emmanuel, born on 16 October 2020.

Taiwo Awoniyi's wife
Taiwo with his wife, Jesudun, and son Emmanuel. Photo: @mrs_taiyeawoniyi
Source: Instagram

Lifestyle

The Super Eagles forward is a staunch Christian and sees religion as 'above all' in his life. His relationship with religion is from birth since he was born in a hospital near his father's church. However, there are no details on Taiwo Awoniyi's house and cars.

Interesting facts about Taiwo Awoniyi

Let's look at some of the lesser-known details about the towering striker:

  • Awoniyi has a twin sister called Kehinde. They were raised together with their siblings in Gbagba in Ilorin.
  • Former Super Eagles midfielder Seyi Olofinjana discovered Taiwo's talent after witnessing his skills in London. Olofinjana, one of the founders of Imperial Soccer Academy, helped the promising striker join the academy.
  • The Union Berlin forward has represented Nigeria at nearly all levels, from the youth to the senior national team. Before joining the Super Eagles, he featured for Nigeria's U-17, U-20, and U-23 teams.
  • Awoniyi moved away from his family at 13 to pursue his football career at the soccer academy. However, he faced strong opposition from his parents, who wanted him to focus on education rather than play football.
  • Taiwo has a unique playing style, usually compared to Nigeria's legendary striker, Rashidi Yekini. He is considered the best-ever Super Eagles striker.
  • He was named Eagles Tracker's player of the month for August 2021 after putting impressive performance with Union Berlin.

Taiwo Awoniyi's salary could be a lifeline to many footballers at his age, but he is still determined to achieve more. Millions of fans hope he fulfils his dream of playing the English Premier League. Other than being a football star, Taiwo is a devout father and husband to Jesudun.

READ ALSO: Nigeria's national football team: players, coach, nickname, world rankings, AFCON

Sportsbrief.com also covered the profile of Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles, featuring its players, history, and achievements.

Taiwo Awoniyi is among the emerging young talents expected to lead the team into the future. Find out more about the Super Eagles and why they are among the best teams in Africa here!

Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.