Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has hinted he wants to end his playing career back in New Zealand.
The 33-year-old has been in fine form for the Reds this season and has plundered 18 goals on his way to helping Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to third in the Premier League table. His fantastic form was rewarded with a new contract in January to keep him at the City Ground until 2027.
But beyond that, Wood has suggested a return to his homeland could be in the offing. It is a possibility he has discussed with wife Emma as they prepare for the birth of their first child in a few weeks’ time.
Asked which of New Zealand’s two A-League teams he would support or play for - Wellington Phoenix or Auckland FC - the front man told New Zealand publication Stuff: "I'm sure I'll find out that question one day when I decide to come back home and play a season back here, potentially, or live for a year back here. I love both cities very much. Both great footballing teams - 100 percent I will sit on that fence.
"It's football, at the end of the day. Anything can change and anything can happen in a year's time or two years' time or three years' time if I have an opportunity to come back here and play. It all has to be right for family and myself and for the football club, whoever it is.”
"If there's an opportunity,” Wood added, when quizzed on whether that meant he wanted to return. “I've spoken to the wife about this. We're definitely going to come back and live in New Zealand and be a part of New Zealand for a year, because I want to experience being back home. If that's to do with football at the same time, that would be fantastic.
“But first of all, I've got a lot more I want to achieve over in Europe so it might be in a couple of years or three years or whatever. But maybe one day I'll be back here.”
One of the ambitions Wood is eager to achieve is to take his tally to 25 goals for Forest this term. He is on 87 Premier League goals in total, from across his career, and is keen to hit a century. Securing Champions League football is also on his radar, as well as helping his country qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
"There's a lot more I want to achieve in football. It's weird saying that at 33 years old, but there is a lot more I want to achieve. I want to achieve as much as possible,” Wood said ahead of New Zealand’s clash with Fiji on Friday.
"I believe age is just a number. I'm hoping I can prove that, and have proven that with this being my best season at 33. There's a lot more to come, most definitely, for me.
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
"There's goalscoring ambitions I want to do, there's appearance records I want to do.
“There's a huge amount of things I want to be able to achieve. Whether I'll be able to achieve them all, I don't know, but I'll be pushing as hard as I can to achieve them.
"It's scoring as many as possible this season - hitting the 20 mark and hopefully aiming for the 25 mark. There's the 100 club that I'd love to be a part of.
"And then just scoring as many as I can for New Zealand. I want to get to the 50 mark for them. To get 100 appearances for New Zealand as well would be lovely. There's a lot more I'd love to achieve.”
What have you made of Wood this season? Click HERE to have your say