West Ham-target Awoniyi makes it 23-goal contribution as Union Berlin boost Champions League hopes with fine Freiburg win

The Iron Ones romped to their sixth away win of the campaign at the home of their rivals for a top-four finish

Taiwo Awoniyi claimed his second assist of the season as Union Berlin cruised to an excellent 4-1 win at Freiburg in a German Bundesliga clash on Saturday.

Freiburg occupied the last Champions League qualifying spot, sitting four points above Union ahead of kick-off at the Europa-Park Stadion.

But it was the Iron Ones who did their hopes of a top-four finish a world of good by sealing the win that lifts them to sixth, one point behind their direct rivals.

Grischa Promel, Christopher Trimmel, and Sheraldo Becker got the goals in the opening half, with Awoniyi supplying the assist for Becker’s strike as the visitors went into the break with a comfortable lead.

Lucas Holer reduced the deficit for the home side just before the hour-mark before Andras Schafer added Union’s fourth in stoppage time. And there was little Freiburg could do to stop Urs Fischer’s men from heading back to Berlin with the maximum points in their kitty.

Awoniyi now has 23 goal contributions (18 goals, five assists) in 42 games across all competitions.

The Nigeria international boasts 13 goals and two assists in the Bundesliga and another four goals and an assist in eight Europa Conference League games, including the qualifiers.

A goal and two assists in four DFB-Pokal matches complete the Super Eagles striker’s haul for the 2021/22 season.

Following Awoniyi’s brilliant displays, the former Liverpool signing could be on the move back to the English Premier League, with West Ham reportedly among the club in the hunt for his signature.