Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has been excluded from Nottingham Forest’s squad for the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League, Afrosport reports.
Awoniyi is one of several notable omissions from the team list for the league phase, which runs from 24 September 2025 to 29 January 2026.
The 28-year-old joined Forest in June 2022 from Union Berlin for a then-club record fee of £17 million. He quickly became a fan favourite, finishing his debut season with 11 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions—including 10 in the Premier League.
However, in the two subsequent campaigns, Awoniyi has struggled to replicate that form. Plagued by persistent injuries, he has managed just eight goals in 55 appearances and has lost his place in the starting line-up to New Zealand’s Chris Wood.
Also missing from the squad are summer signings Omari Hutchinson—a £37.5 million signing from Ipswich—and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who arrived on loan from Arsenal. Others left out include goalkeeper Angus Gunn, defenders Jair Cunha and Cuiabano, and forward Jota Silva.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ola Aina made the squad, alongside Ivorian duo Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly. Other notable inclusions are Chris Wood, Neco Williams, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Murillo, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Dan Ndoye, Douglas Luiz, and goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Forest, who secured their Europa League spot following Crystal Palace’s demotion, are returning to European competition after a 30-year absence. They’ve been drawn against Midtjylland, FC Porto, Malmo, Ferencvaros, Braga, Utrecht, Sturm Graz, and Real Betis.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men will open their campaign away at Real Betis on 24 September and wrap up the league phase at home against Ferencvaros on 29 January 2026.
Nottingham Forest squad for Europa League
Ola Aina
Elliot Anderson
Willy Boly
Dilane Bakwa
Nicolás Domínguez
Morgan Gibbs-White
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Igor Jesus
Arnaud Kalimuendo
Douglas Luiz
James McAtee
Nikola Milenković
Morato
Murillo
Dan Ndoye
Ibrahim Sangaré
Nicolò Savona
Matz Sels
Neco Williams
Chris Wood
John Victor
Ryan Yates
