Newcastle have confirmed Chris Wood’s loan move to Nottingham Forest. The 31-year-old joined last January from Burnley making 39 appearances with 5 goals. The full tweet can be seen here.

Thank you for the vital role you have played over the past 12 months, @officialcwood.

Best of luck for the future. ??

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 20, 2023

Here is a statement from the club on Wood’s departure posted at nufc.co.uk:

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood has joined fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent.

Wood joined the Magpies from Burnley in January 2022 and helped Eddie Howe’s side to move from the relegation places last season to an eventual 11th-placed finish – scoring vital goals in matches against Southampton and Fulham.

The 31-year-old has made 22 appearances in all competitions for United this season, scoring on three occasions.

Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes to Chris for the rest of the season.

The loan is likely to become permanent at the end of the season. Local journalists Keith Downie and Craig Hope are reporting the fee will be £15m. Wood should slot straight into Steve Cooper’s starting eleven though his availability for tomorrow’s clash at Bournemouth is uncertain.

Wood said the following at nottinghamforest.co.uk about his move:

“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.

“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.

“I’ve been in this league a long time, so hopefully I’ll bring a lot of experience to try and help the younger lads out and bring everybody together.

“As a visiting player, it’s always been a hostile atmosphere at The City Ground. The crowd are loud and strong, so I’m thankful to have that passionate fanbase on my side now and I can’t wait to get playing there.”

Wood will wear the number 39 shirt and appears to be on just an 18-month deal. He has been a hard-working force at the top of the pitch for Eddie Howe. He now gets a chance for more playing time as Forest push to survive their long-awaited return to the Premier League.