The current Nottingham Forest striker is recovering from a serious abdominal injury
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Taiwo Awoniyi
Taiwo Awoniyi has woken up from an induced coma(Image: PA)
Taiwo Awoniyi has issued a statement on social media after waking up from an induced coma. The former Liverpool striker suffered a serious abdominal injury after colliding with a post late in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground last weekend.
He received treatment before returning to the pitch for the final minutes of the match. Awoniyi later underwent surgery and was placed into an induced coma before undergoing another operation on Wednesday.
It is understood he was woken from the induced coma on Wednesday evening. During his press conference on Friday, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo issued an update, saying: "The information we have is that he has to be there (in hospital) for at least five days under observation.
"I will try to visit as soon as possible. He is in good hands and has his family there.
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"The players are constantly chatting in their groups and we know he is well. He just needs time. I hope next week he can join us and be around.
"He is a wonderful boy and this season has been so hard on him. We feel so sorry. He went to surgery, surgery went well, thank God."
On Sunday, Awoniyi release a statement on Instagram. It read: "This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love.
"With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.
"To my teammates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.
"Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games, keep believing and keep pushing. I'm with you all the way and I can't wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.
"To my family, friends and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me and left kind words, thank you.
"I see them. I feel them. And I carry them with me every day as I recover."
According to The BBC, Forest are set to open an internal review into the incident to determine why Awoniyi was allowed to continue playing.
Awoniyi joined Liverpool in 2015, with the Reds paying £400,000 for his transfer. The Nigerian was just 18 years old at the time and had previously played for Imperial Academy in his home country.
He remained under contract with Liverpool for six years, until 2021 before joining Union Berlin.