
Chris Wood – Premier League Stats, Contract & Career
Chris Wood stands as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished footballers. The Nottingham Forest striker has carved out a distinguished Premier League career, amassing over 90 goals while captaining his national team. Born in Auckland in 1991, Wood’s journey from local New Zealand clubs to the top of English football has been defined by consistent goal-scoring and physical presence.
With a contract extension signed in early 2025 and no significant injury concerns reported, the 6-foot-3 forward remains a key figure for both club and country. This profile covers his career statistics, contract status, injury history, and clarifies the common confusion with other individuals who share the same name. For more on footballers who have made an impact, see our profile on Paul Pogba.
What are Chris Wood’s career stats and club history?
Christopher Grant Wood
New Zealand
Forward (Centre-forward)
Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Chris Wood has scored over 90 Premier League goals, making him one of New Zealand’s most prolific footballers.
- He signed for Nottingham Forest in 2023 and played a key role in their survival campaign.
- Wood’s physical style (1.91m, 92kg) makes him a target man.
- His contract status has been a topic of speculation; currently under contract until 2025 with option to extend.
- Injuries have affected his playing time; a hamstring issue in late 2024 kept him out for several weeks.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Grant Wood |
| Date of Birth | 7 December 1991 |
| Birthplace | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | Approx. 92 kg |
| Position | Forward |
| Current Club | Nottingham Forest |
| Previous Clubs | West Bromwich Albion, Leicester City, Burnley, Newcastle United, Leeds United (loan) |
| International Caps | Over 90 (New Zealand record) |
| International Goals | 45 (All-time leading scorer for New Zealand men’s team) |
| Premier League Appearances | 278 (as of 2024/25 end) |
| Premier League Goals | 92 |
What is the status of Chris Wood’s contract and any recent injuries?
In January 2025, Chris Wood signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest that extends his stay until June 2027. According to reports, the deal is worth approximately £80,000 per week. The extension came after a strong 2024–25 season in which he scored 18 goals across all competitions, including 10 in the Premier League. For a detailed breakdown of his Premier League statistics, visit the official Premier League profile.
As of early-to-mid 2025, there are no significant injury updates. Wood remained an active squad member and the club’s top scorer. A hamstring issue in late 2024 caused him to miss several weeks, but he has since returned to full fitness.
Wood’s current deal with Nottingham Forest runs until June 2027. The reported weekly salary of £80,000 places him among the club’s higher earners, reflecting his importance as the team’s leading goalscorer.
Nottingham Forest goal record
Wood holds the Premier League scoring record for Nottingham Forest, having surpassed previous club marks. In the 2023–24 season he was the team’s top scorer with 15 goals in 35 appearances. The following season he added 18 goals, cementing his status as a key offensive asset. You can check his season-by-season stats on his Wikipedia page.
Burnley and Leeds United career
Before joining Forest, Wood enjoyed a prolific spell at Burnley, where he became the club’s Premier League record scorer after being the EFL Championship top scorer in 2016–17. He also scored 27 goals for Leeds United in a standout Championship season prior to moving to the Premier League with Burnley. His transfer history and market value are tracked on Transfermarkt.
A hamstring injury in late 2024 kept Wood out for several weeks, but he recovered fully and resumed his role as Nottingham Forest’s top scorer. No further injury issues have been reported as of mid-2025.
Who else is named Chris Wood?
The name “Chris Wood” is shared by several public figures, which can cause confusion. The footballer Chris Wood (born 1991) is distinct from others who share the same name.
Chris Wood (actor)
An American actor born in 1988, known for roles in television series such as Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries. He is a different person from the New Zealand footballer.
Chris Wood (cricketer)
A cricketer born in 1990 who played for Hampshire. Again, this is not the same individual as the footballer. The footballer does not have a professional cricket career. For more on sports figures with well-known names, see our profile on Rory Delap.
The footballer is clearly distinguished by his birth year (1991), nationality (New Zealand), and current club (Nottingham Forest). No notable actor or cricketer named Chris Wood shares the same prominence in major sports databases.
Timeline: Chris Wood’s career milestones
- 2009 – Makes senior debut for Waikato FC in New Zealand.
- 2010 – Moves to England, joins West Bromwich Albion. Makes Premier League debut at age 18, becoming one of only six New Zealanders to play in the league.
- 2010 – Represents New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
- 2013 – Joins Leicester City after a series of loans.
- 2015 – Signs for Leeds United, scores 27 goals in a standout Championship season.
- 2017 – Transfers to Burnley, becomes the club’s Premier League record scorer.
- 2022 – Moves to Newcastle United on loan, then permanently.
- 2023 – Signs for Nottingham Forest, plays a key role in their Premier League survival.
- 2024 – Marries long-term partner Emma Lovell in June.
- 2025 – Signs new contract with Nottingham Forest until June 2027. Participates in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with New Zealand.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Chris Wood?
| Established Information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Contract length: until June 2027 (signed January 2025). | Exact release clause or option to extend beyond 2027 if any. |
| Premier League stats: 278 appearances, 92 goals, 11 assists. | Future transfer rumors – not confirmed by any club official. |
| International record: over 90 caps, 45 goals (New Zealand men’s record). | Specific injury return dates – only known that hamstring issue in late 2024 caused absence. |
| Height: 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in). Preferred foot: right. | Exact salary details beyond reported £80,000 per week – not officially confirmed by club. |
How does Chris Wood compare to other Premier League strikers?
Wood’s style is that of a classic target man. At 1.91 m and with a strong frame, he is often compared to strikers like Olivier Giroud and Aleksandar Mitrović. His hold-up play and aerial ability have made him a focal point for Nottingham Forest, especially in the 2024–25 season when the team relied heavily on his goals. For a statistical comparison with other forwards, you can view his data on ESPN.
New Zealand football has historically produced few top-level footballers. Wood’s role as captain and record scorer for the All Whites places him in a unique position as the face of the nation’s footballing ambitions. He has represented New Zealand at two World Cups (2010 and 2026) and won the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. His international statistics are also recorded on the New Zealand Football official site.
What sources provide information about Chris Wood?
“He is a target man with a physical presence and a proven goal-scorer in the Premier League.”
— Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo (via club interviews)
“Chris Wood is one of New Zealand’s greatest ever footballers. He is the country’s record appearance holder and all-time leading goalscorer.”
— New Zealand Football official site
Key sources for this profile include the Premier League official profile, Wikipedia, Transfermarkt, ESPN, and New Zealand Football. Additional data comes from 365Scores and The Premier League.
Summary: What is the key takeaway about Chris Wood?
Chris Wood is a proven Premier League striker, New Zealand’s all-time leading men’s scorer, and a key player for Nottingham Forest. With a contract through 2027 and no serious injury concerns, he remains an important figure in English football. For profiles of other footballers, see Paul Pogba – Full Biography, Career, and 2025 Update and Rory Delap – Father of Liam Delap and Throw-In Legend.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chris Wood
Is there an actor named Chris Wood?
Yes, Chris Wood (born 1988) is an American actor known for roles in Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries. This is a different person from the footballer.
Does Chris Wood play cricket?
There is a cricketer named Chris Wood (born 1990) who played for Hampshire, but this is not the same person as the footballer. The footballer does not have a professional cricket career.
How tall is Chris Wood?
Chris Wood is 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) tall.
What is Chris Wood’s preferred foot?
Right foot.
What is Chris Wood’s jersey number?
At Nottingham Forest he wears the number 39 shirt.
How many Premier League goals has Chris Wood scored?
As of the end of the 2024–25 season, Chris Wood has scored 92 Premier League goals in 278 appearances.
When did Chris Wood sign for Nottingham Forest?
He joined Nottingham Forest in 2023 and has since become the club’s Premier League record scorer.
Is Chris Wood married?
Yes, he married long-term partner Emma Lovell in June 2024.
What is Chris Wood’s contract situation?
He signed a new contract in January 2025 that runs until June 2027, with a reported weekly salary of £80,000.
Has Chris Wood played in a World Cup?
Yes, he represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and also played in the 2026 World Cup.