The opening of the summer transfer window has seen Nottingham Forest officially complete their first signing of the off-season.
Chris Wood’s £15million permanent move from Newcastle United was officially completed at midnight following the triggering of a clause in the loan agreement. The striker initially joined on loan but is now a Nottingham Forest player.
The New Zealand international arrived at the City Ground in January. He made seven appearances for the club before his season ended prematurely due to injury.
Wood scored one goal in those appearances, netting a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw against treble winners Manchester City at the City Ground back in February. He had previously scored twice for Newcastle earlier in the season before making the switch to Forest.
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The 31-year-old underwent surgery on a thigh injury and is not expected to return to fitness until mid-July. Steve Cooper said that he hopes the striker will be able to join his teammates in the middle of next season, meaning that he could be fit for the first game of the campaign, with the fixtures released this week.
“He's actually had an operation on his thigh,” Cooper said back in March. “It was something that was a really unfortunate situation, at the training ground.
"We got the scans from New Zealand and then made second and third checks, as you do with these things, once he got back. The player was obviously involved in the process, as always, but we had no alternative other than to operate.
"So we're looking at a long period out. It will be middle of pre-season, if we're lucky, not the start. If it all goes well then we're looking at mid-July.
Cooper added: "We'll give him the best recovery. For sure, he'll commit to that 100 percent; having worked with him now for a few months, I can see how professional he is. Hopefully he gets back at the right time."
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