Newcastle United striker Chris Wood has joined Nottingham Forest on loan, the Reds have confirmed.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe confirmed Wood was close to completing the transfer on Friday morning.
Howe said: "I think Chris is having a medical with Nottingham Forest. That’s the situation. Chris has been a huge player for us, I have to say he has been outstanding, in every way. When we signed him we were in a very difficult league position. He played a huge part on the pitch and helped transform the team. Then this season he has been excellent on and off the pitch when he’s not played.
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"We can’t underestimate the role he has played. It was a difficult decision because you have to take into account the player and his wishes. But also I think it’s a very good deal financially for the football club."
Wood was also reportedly interesting former club Leeds United this month, though they looked elsewhere by breaking their transfer record to sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim. Forest have acted fast to bring in a striker following the injury picked up by Taiwo Awoniyi.
At 31 years old, Wood is a player packed with experience in English football and he is just 11 appearances shy of 200 in the Premier League. The New Zealand international has scored 54 goals during his time in the top-flight, with the majority of those coming at Burnley - where he netted double figures in four consecutive seasons.
Wood has, however, found consistency hard to come by in front of goal across the last two campaigns, scoring just seven league goals since August 2021. Newcastle forked out £25 million for his signature this time last year and after playing a regular role during the early stages of his career in the north east, has found himself down the pecking order this season with Callum Wilson and record signing Alexander Isak ahead of him.
Forest will become the 12th English club Wood has played for in his professional career, with Leeds, Leicester City and Brighton among some of the sides on his CV. His best individual campaign came at Elland Road in 2016/17, where he netted 30 goals in all competitions.
Wood worked under Sean Dyche during his time at Burnley and the former Clarets boss believes the big frontman has a 'certain instinct' in the box that not many other strikers do.
“I think he’s shown over time he can certainly score goals. One of the reasons why we signed him originally is I always felt, even on a quiet day, he finds chances or a way of scoring.
“I think there’s a kind of instinct in certain centre forwards to do that. I do think he’s had a lot of good players around him as well, I don’t think it’s just down to Woody - the players around him and the supply line have been good as well.
“But when you’re talking those numbers (35 in 97)...and don’t forget it’s more difficult sometimes for us to make as many chances as other teams...so if you add that in, then actually, that is a very good strike rate."
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