Chris Wood Joins Nottingham Forest On Loan With Buy Option

Newcastle striker, Chris Wood has joined Nottingham Forest on loan with obligation to buy at end of 2022-23 season.

Wood first joined Newcastle in January 2022 from Burnley but has scored just five goals in 39 appearances for the Magpies, which has led manager – Eddie Howe to sanction a loan move to Forest until end of season.

Forest though have an obligation to buy the New Zealand international at end of season with the transfer fee reportedly around £15m.

Speaking about his decision to move to Forest after spending just 12 months on Tyneside, Wood said: “It’s a great feeling and I am very thankful to be here.

“Nottingham Forest is a massive club which I have come up against a number of times, but it’s nice now to be able to pull on the red shirt and fight for the club.”

Wood also praised Forest for their progress since Steve Cooper took charge in late September 2021 when sat in the Championship relegation zone, as he added: “You can see the transition over the past 18 months and it’s progressing in the right way. It’s a project that’s going in the right direction.

“It’s a club looking up rather than anything else, it’s going to take a lot of hard work, but it’s a squad that’s pulling together.”

Wood has scored 54 goals across 189 appearances in nine seasons in the Premier League for four different clubs, which he believes will enable him to “bring a lot of experience to try and help the younger lads out and bring everybody together.”

Acknowledging the home supporters after spending many years visiting with oppositional clubs, Wood described their “loud and strong” support as “a hostile atmosphere”, yet is “thankful” to be playing for the club now with supporters on his side.

Forest’s Sporting Director, Filippo Giraldi added that Wood will bring “great character and experience,” and is “hungry” to come and help Forest continue their battle to secure their top-flight status.

Newcastle meanwhile issued the following statement on Wood’s departure: “Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes to Chris for the rest of the season.”

Wood will wear shirt number 39 and is available for Forest’s trip to Bournemouth tomorrow (21 January), after he was registered ahead of the 12pm deadline today (20 January).