Chris Wood, Nottingham Forest’s prolific forward, a captain the New Zealand national team, has achieved the prestigious Premier League Player of the Month title for October 2024. Wood’s exceptional performances, including four goals over three crucial matches, played a significant role in Forest’s undefeated streak, cementing his value to the team. Wood, the first player from New Zealand to be the Premier League‘s player of the month, scored a fortnight later when Forest beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at home, then struck twice in a 3-1 win at Leicester City.
Premier League, in its official account congratulated Chris Wood through the social media X,
The first-ever @NFFC player to be named @EASPORTSFC Player of the Month ✨
Congratulations, Chris Wood!#PLAwards | @officialcwood pic.twitter.com/g3eVZtzvxl
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 8, 2024
Chris Wood: At a Glance
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Chris Wood displayed a passion for soccer from an early age. He started his journey in local leagues, debuting at just 14 with Cambridge FC. His talent quickly attracted international attention, leading him to England’s West Bromwich Albion youth academy. Wood’s goal-scoring prowess became evident here, eventually earning him a spot in the senior lineup.
Wood’s early professional years involved several loan spells across English clubs, including Barnsley, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Birmingham City. At each club, he made notable contributions, sharpening his skills and proving his versatility. His time at Leicester City was pivotal, where he helped the team win promotion to the Premier League in 2014.
In the Premier League, notching up 49 goals in 144 matches over four and a half seasons. In January 2022, he joined Newcastle United for £25 million (€29 million), making him the most expensive Oceania player of all time.
The official feed of the New Zealand national team also congratulated their hero and congratulated with his unique achievements.
- First NFFC player in history to win
- First Kiwi in history to win
- Top scorer in the league in October
- Unbeaten in October 3 games – 4 goals
Chris Wood established himself as a solid Premier League forward with Burnley, where he consistently ranked as the club’s top scorer. Internationally, he represented New Zealand with distinction, competing in major tournaments like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, furthering his reputation as a high-caliber striker.
Here’s a brief history of Chris Wood’s international career with New Zealand,
| Year | Event | Achievement/Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | FIFA U-20 World Cup | Represented New Zealand in the U-20 team |
| 2010 | Senior Debut | Debuted for New Zealand’s senior team |
| 2010 | FIFA World Cup | Part of the squad, New Zealand remained unbeaten |
| 2012 | Olympics (London) | Represented New Zealand as an over-age player |
| 2016 | OFC Nations Cup | Helped win the title; top scorer of the tournament |
| 2022 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | Contributed goals; missed World Cup entry narrowly |
This table highlights Wood’s growth as a prominent striker on the international stage and his contributions to New Zealand soccer.
One of the Forest fans expressed shock on a social media platform and said,
” I’m really shook. I follow Forest and when he scored for us in that first season up to give us the 1-1 draw against City he essentially became a meme for the rest of that year with people joking that he’s a god who’s going to score a hat trick any day, or that we’re glad we survived on more than a point because then we didn’t owe Chris Wood for the survival lol. So many people figured he was done at the top level and was just gonna play 2nd fiddle to Taiwo in some games”.
“What a time to have a resurgence/be in your literal prime lol.”
Chris Wood’s impact at Nottingham Forest has been transformative. His powerful presence and finishing skills have driven the team’s recent success, showcasing his commitment and growth. This Player of the Month title not only highlights Wood’s outstanding season but also underscores his role in Forest’s future ambitions.
