Coventry City

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Coventry City and Coventry Building Society Arena have announced a new partnership with Legends Global which will be backed by more than £15m of joint investment over the next three years.

The investment will fund "a major programme of transformation across the entire venue" to "establish Coventry Building Society Arena as one of the UK's leading destinations for sport, live music, exhibitions, conferences and hospitality".

Club owner Doug King said: "This is a landmark partnership for Coventry City, Coventry Building Society Arena and the city as a whole. Our return to the Premier League is a defining moment, but our ambition extends far beyond what happens on the pitch.

"Together with Legends Global, we are making a significant investment in the future of this venue and transforming the experience for everyone who comes through its doors. We want to attract the world's best talent both on and off the pitch and establish Coventry as a leading destination for sport, music, exhibitions, conferences and hospitality, 365 days a year.

"This is about matching the scale of our ambition with the quality of our environment and demonstrating what Coventry can achieve on the national and international stage."

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Coventry manager Frank Lampard says keeping the club in the Premier League might be the biggest challenge of his career and he would take a 17th-place finish if offered it now.

Lampard led the Sky Blues back to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years by winning the Championship last season, a year on from play-off heartbreak.

His side are not favourites to be relegated - Hull take up that status - but most bookmakers have Coventry as odds-on to go down.

Asked if this represented the biggest challenge of his career, Lampard told an audience at the Premier League's launch event: "I think maybe yes, and I don't want to sound defeatist in that way because it's fine.

"Life's about having challenges. We're on a good trajectory as a club. The fan base are with us. The players I love working with, so that's great. That's a great base. But of course, we study a lot of the teams that go up and come down. That's pretty regular. There's some teams that have come up and stayed up, and you go, 'What did they do?' So you know, we we have to take on the challenge in our own way with the players that we have and try and make our mark."

Lampard says Sunderland have offered his side a good reference point in the manner in which they earned promotion, spent on a host of new players and excelled in the top tier.

Coventry have backed Lampard in the transfer window, with significant deals executed for the likes of Caleb Yirenkyi, Carl Rushworth, Loum Tchaouna, Aurele Amenda and Taiwo Awoniyi, as well as a club-return for Gustavo Hamer.

Asked if 17th would be an outcome he would take now, Lampard added: "I would. I want to say more than that. I want us to compete every week. You look at what Sunderland did. They ended up in Europe, so I don't like setting benchmarks low. But of course, we start with that as a as a baseline, but we want to go and compete, and maybe we can do better than that."

Eli Junior Kroupi, Igor Thiago and Nico O'Reilly were among the breakout stars who made their mark on the Premier League last season - but who will be next?

BBC Sport's TV and radio commentators have picked 13 players they believe are worth watching out for over the next few months.

Coventry City's Caleb Yirenkyi is on the list...

Image source, Reuters

Age: 20 Position: Midfield Country: Ghana

John Murray: This looks a potentially shrewd signing for newly promoted Coventry City, even though they have just paid a club record transfer fee of about £25m to sign him from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland.

Yirenkyi featured in all four of Ghana's matches at the World Cup and, when I commentated on him during their group match against England, I thought he looked the kind of energetic midfielder who would do well in the Premier League.

Conor McNamara: Coventry City have got themselves a talented and versatile new signing in Yirenkyi - which is pronounced 'yur'INCH-ee', by the way.

He started on the right of a back five for Ghana against England at the World Cup, but his favoured position is the centre of midfield.

Wales fans will remember him scoring against them in the pre-tournament friendly in June and he got a goal at the World Cup itself against Panama too.

After coming through Ghana's 'Right To Dream Academy', he was named Young Player Of The Year in the Danish Superliga last season with Nordsjaelland.

Frank Lampard could be just the right coach to help Yirenkyi blossom further, as a midfielder of Premier League standard.

Find the full list of possible breakout stars here

Coventry have had an offer worth £8.5m for England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 30, rejected by AC Milan. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.

After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.

It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play

Nottingham Forest supporter Tony O'Dowd says Coventry City can expect new signing Taiwo Awoniyi to be a "phenomenal in-form player" and an "absolute live wire".

The 29-year-old striker, who became Forest's record signing when he joined from Union Berlin in June 2022, has completed a £9m move to the CBS Arena.

Speaking to BBC CWR, O'Dowd said: "What you can expect is a player who will play with a smile on his face, give you 100% and come up with goals when you least expect them.

"He has scored against every big team in the Premier League. He is a phenomenal in-form player. He has been Mr Nottingham Forest at times, he has always had time for the fans and his team-mates love him.

"I've been a supporter for 60 years and I've never seen a farewell carried out in the manner that it was on Sunday after our pre-season win over Brest.

"He is an absolutely superb man and player. You've got a man there that can do a job for you in the Premier League.

"He was on fire before he got injured against Leicester City. It took him a few weeks to come back, but when he did he came on against Brentford, he ran all the way from the middle of the park into their penalty box, he beat a couple of players and he slotted the ball home. I remember nobody expected us to win that game.

"When he is in the box, he is a handful because people don't know what he's going to do next. He is an absolute live wire."

Listen to the full conversation above or on BBC Sounds here

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

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There is great love for Taiwo Awoniyi.

He has done a lot of work off the field with Nottingham Forest - and of course a lot of good work on the field as well.

Since he has been at the club, he has done everything with a massive smile on his face. That is what has endeared him to the Nottingham public.

He obviously had some real problems while he was at the club as well, none more so than at the back end of the 2024-25 season when he collided with the goalpost in a game against Leicester City at the City Ground.

It was then he had to be put into an induced coma as he recovered from a ruptured intestine - but there were lots of other injury problems as well.

Yet, whenever Forest needed him and needed a goal, he was on the pitch and able to deliver in those crucial moments, such as the day they secured Premier League survival against Arsenal.

But that wasn't the only goal he scored in that fight against relegation, he got a couple against Southampton in that run as well.

He scored twice against Chelsea, twice at Stamford Bridge in big games. One of those braces was in the 2025-26 season and those goals were huge in terms of Forest staying up.

He has this knack of being in the right place at the right time.

He scored 23 goals in 103 appearances for the club. Forest secured him as their first signing after promotion to the Premier League for £17m four years ago - and he has delivered those memories.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has led the tributes to him - and he goes to Coventry City with everybody's blessing.

There is a hope that he has a fabulous season with them, apart from when he faces Forest.

Subscribe to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

BBC CWR's Will Oelrich and Rob Gurney hosted a special Sky Blues Fancast fans' forum with former players Liam Kelly, Carl Baker and a group of fans as Coventry gear up for the Premier League season.

Reflecting on the new signings and Coventry's pre-season friendlies, former captain Kelly said: "They look very impressive and strong physically. Against Espanyol and Monaco they looked like they had the physicality to dominate in certain areas of the pitch.

"When you go to the Premier League, you need to strengthen and spend around £100m. That's a common theme because that's the step up that's needed."

Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi - the Sky Blues' record signing at £23.1m, plus £2.5m in add-ons - made his unofficial debut on Friday against Monaco and fitted in seamlessly.

"I thought he was a standout player against Monaco," added Baker. "His energy in midfield was unbelievable, but also how he linked up with other midfielders.

"I think he's going to be a really important player in that midfield."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Image source, Coventry City FC

Latest Coventry signing Taiwo Awoniyi has praised his new team-mates' "amazing" and "incredible" Championship-winning campaign last season.

The 29-year-old striker has completed a move from Nottingham Forest for about £9m. BBC Sport previously understood the deal would be worth about £17m.

He will hope to lead the line for Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard in the club's first Premier League campaign since 2000-01. Coventry stormed to the Championship title with 95 points last season, 11 points clear of second place Ipswich Town.

"I'm very happy," Awoniyi said. "I am very excited about this season, and I can't wait to get started. I'm really looking forward to working with my new team-mates.

"I have seen how amazing they have been last season, coming up from the Championship. They were incredible and now I am just excited to join them and get started for the new season."

The Nigeria international scored 23 goals in 103 appearances for Forest and has netted twice in 10 for his country.

He was given a guard of honour by the Forest squad and staff before the second half of their final pre-season friendly against Brest on Sunday to allow him to say goodbye at the City Ground.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who Coventry City have agreed a deal worth about £17m for.

Here are some of your comments:

Isaac: I think we have paid a bit too much for him, but I do believe he is the type of experienced Premier League striker we desperately need.

Alan: Awoniyi is a big, awkward, bustling centre-forward with a good average goals-per-game record. He may represent value for money, but I think he'll be a squad player at best. Is he better than Ellis Simms?

Alfred: Probably more than I'd have liked to pay for him given his age and contract length with Forest, but by all accounts a capable player with experience at this level and incredibly well-liked in the dressing room. I think this will be a signing considered well worth it if we stay up, but a bit risky if we're adrift by Christmas.

Dale: It's better than thinking Simms can do it in the Premier League, so it's a good signing.

Coventry City's Premier League return is almost here and BBC CWR is bringing the fans centre stage tonight.

We're hosting a Sky Blues Fancast Live Fans' Forum from 18:00 BST, featuring two former captains - Liam Kelly and Carl Baker.

They'll be joined by myself and BBC CWR sports editor Rob Gurney, plus a panel of regular Sky Blue Fancasters as we dig into the big talking points going into the new season.

Be part of the build‑up and hear it all unfold on FM, DAB, BBC Sounds and on your smart speaker.

Listen live here from 18:00, or hit play below once the show has finished and also hear the fancast in full on BBC Sounds here

Listen to Sky Blues Fancast Live every Monday and Friday at 18:00 and subscribe to the Coventry City page on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City have agreed a deal worth about £17m to sign Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

Awoniyi became Forest's record signing at the time when he joined from Union Berlin in 2022 for £17.2m.

The 29-year-old scored 23 goals in 103 games for Forest but has been behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order and was left out of last season's Europa League squad.

The Nigeria international started just three games last season, scoring four goals in 17 appearances in all competitions.

In May 2025 he was placed in an induced coma, rupturing an intestine when he collided with a post during a game against Leicester.

What do you make of Awoniyi? Is he the sort of striker Coventry need? Or is his price tag too high?

Get in touch with your views here

Coventry City are closing in on the signing of Sidiki Cherif from Fenerbahce after agreeing a deal for the Guinea forward, 19. (Give Me Sport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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There were plenty of positives to take from Coventry City's pre-season win over AS Monaco.

Firstly, it was an impressive unofficial debut for Caleb Yirenkyi, who at 20-years-old looks more than ready to make the step up to England's top-flight.

The Ghana midfielder won duals and was comfortable on the ball, setting up fellow new signing Loum Tchaouna to double Coventry's lead just after the half an hour mark.

The Sky Blues were confident on and off the ball, with Ellis Simms showing his physicality in the opening goal and throughout the 90 minutes.

Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth also made a handful of decent saves, further proving why the Sky Blues paid a reported £22.5m for his services.

It could have been 3-0 after Switzerland centre-back Aurele Amenda had his goal ruled out for offside in the second half.

But, the headline of the evening was Gustavo Hamer's return.

Coventry supporters serenaded the man who scored 19 goals in 132 outings during his last spell at the club for 13 minutes while waiting for him to come on for Yirenkyi.

And when Hamer finally stepped on to the pitch in the 65th minute, there was a full standing ovation from the fans as they welcomed him back from his spell at Sheffield United.

Frank Lampard's side will conclude their pre-season with a behind closed doors friendly on Saturday, with those who didn't play on Friday expected to feature.

Lampard confirmed Jack Rudoni, who underwent shoulder surgery this summer, could get some minutes, whilst Haji Wright remains sidelined with a quad injury.

The omission of last season's top goal-scorer Wright puts inevitable pressure on Simms ahead of Coventry's return to the top-flight, starting with their trip to reigning champions Arsenal.

But with the transfer window still open, there could yet be more additions before Friday's season opener.

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry boss Frank Lampard was full of praise for his team's "performances and attitude" as they warmed up for next weekend's Premier league return with an impressive 2-0 win over Monaco at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Friday night.

First half goals from Ellis Simms and Loum Tchaouna were to be enough to defeat the Ligue 1 side, with the highlight of the second period being the return of Gustavo Hamer which drew a huge cheer from the home crowd.

"It was a great fixture because they're a high level team," Lampard said post-match.

"We needed that with what is coming next week and I thought we were really good. The first half was excellent, a lot of elements I really liked. The goals were brilliant, both of them in their nature.

"In general, defending off the ball and what you have to do against these team in and out of possession negating the spaces, we did really well.

"The performance and attitude was great. From the beginning of pre-season the group has worked really hard.

"It was good on fitness, good on strategy. Second half was a bit less so but that's normal against this level of opposition."

You can listen to Lampard's full post-match chat below or on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry fan Hannah has been telling BBC CWR about the new women's network she is part of setting up for Sky Blues supporters.

"It is really nice to feel that you have a community. For example, I don't have loads of other women friends that are into football, so you don't always have a readymade group of people to go with.

"Traditionally, football has been a very male, heterosexual environment, and I think that does feed into many elements of the game.

"Having groups such as Proud Sky Blues and women's groups is really important because I do think our voices are always stronger as a collective.

"The atmosphere at Coventry is good in general. We certainly haven't set up this group because we feel that there's a problem towards women at Coventry."

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here