Chris Wood says he wants to play for a season in his native New Zealand before he retires.
The Nottingham Forest striker has had the season of his life, scoring 18 Premier League goals to help steer Forest towards Champions League football.
The 33-year-old is under contract at the City Ground until 2027 but has long-term plans to return to his home nation with English wife Emma.
“I’ve spoken to the wife about this, where 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,” the 33-year-old told New Zealand news website Stuff.
“If that’s to do with football at the same time, that’d be fantastic.
Chris Wood is having his best season in #FPL…
And there are still 14 games left! pic.twitter.com/1KKzb9xBXT
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 1, 2025
“There’s a lot more I want to achieve in football. And that’s weird saying that at 33 years old. I believe age is just a number, and I’m hoping I can prove that, I have proven that with my best season at 33. There’s a lot more to come.”
New Zealand have two professional clubs competing in the mainly Australian A-League – Wellington Phoenix and high-flying expansion team Auckland FC.
With 41 goals in 80 appearances for New Zealand, the country’s most prolific goalscorer would likely be welcome at both.
“I love both cities very much,” he said.
“100% I will sit on that fence and it’s football at the end of the day. Anything can change.”
