Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the City Ground until 2027, cementing his future with the club where he has become their all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
The 33-year-old New Zealand international, who joined Forest initially on loan from Newcastle in January 2023 before making the move permanent in June, has been in spectacular form this season. With 14 goals in 22 Premier League appearances, Wood has been instrumental in Forest's remarkable rise to third place in the standings.
"I'm very excited and very happy to have it completed and done, and I'm looking forward to the next couple of years, at least," Wood expressed following the announcement. He cited the club's ambition and ownership's vision as key factors in his decision, praising the owner's long-term commitment to the team's development.
Wood's impact at Forest has been transformative, particularly under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, who took charge in December 2023. The striker has netted 25 of his 29 league goals for the club under the Portuguese manager's guidance, demonstrating remarkable consistency and finishing ability.
This season, Wood's goalscoring prowess puts him in elite company, with only Mohamed Salah (18), Erling Haaland (17), and Alexander Isak (15) finding the net more frequently in the Premier League. His contributions have been crucial to Forest's impressive unbeaten run of eight league games and their pursuit of European football.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis praised Wood's commitment, stating, "He epitomizes everything that it means to wear the Garibaldi red - hard work, a fighting and winning spirit, and the attitude to never give up. He is a winner and a role model to inspire all of us."
Wood's journey to Forest success follows a winding path through English football, including spells at West Brom, Leicester, Leeds, and Burnley. After a £25m move to Newcastle that yielded just five goals in 39 appearances, he has found his true home at the City Ground, where he has accumulated 30 goals in 65 appearances across all competitions.
The striker's international pedigree is equally impressive, having scored 34 goals in 74 appearances for New Zealand since his debut in June 2009. His recent accolade as Forest's first Premier League Player of the Month in November, making him the first New Zealander to achieve this distinction, further underlines his impact in English football.
As Forest chase their first European appearance since reaching the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1995-96, Wood's contract extension represents a significant boost for the two-time European Cup winners. With a six-point cushion to fifth-placed Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification, Wood's continued presence could prove crucial in their pursuit of returning to European glory.
