Nottingham Forest complete shock £15m transfer 17 days after January window closed after triggering Chris Wood clause

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have made Chris Wood’s loan transfer permanent, just three weeks after his January arrival.

The Prem strugglers have forked out £15million to sign the striker from Newcastle beyond the end of the season.

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Chris Wood’s loan move has been made permanentCredit: Getty

Wood, 31, has made three appearances for Forest, failing to get on the scoresheet.

According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Forest’s obligation to buy clause has already been triggered.

Toon boss Eddie Howe admitted that he was reluctant to let Wood leave.

Howe said of the striker: “He’s been a huge player for us. He’s been outstanding in every way. When we signed him we were in as very difficult position.

“He’s played a huge part on the pitch to help transform the team, and been excellent on and off the pitch with his leadership and positivity.

“It was a difficult decision, you have to take into account the player’s wishes but I think it’s a good deal financially for the club.”

Wood scored five goals in 39 appearances for Newcastle following his £20m switch from Burnley in January 2022.

He was limited to just four Prem starts for them this term.

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The New Zealand international is Forest’s 28th permanent signing of the season.

Steve Cooper’s side have also made five loan signings.

Such has been Forest’s splurge, that some senior players couldn’t even be named in their 25-man Premier League squad.

Summer signing Lewis O’Brien is looking for an MLS move after already losing his place in Forest’s squad, despite being recruited after their promotion.

He had been due to join Blackburn on deadline day, but paperwork was not completed on time.

Forest, meanwhile, have submitted an appeal to re-register Steve Cook, following injuries suffered by fellow centre-backs Scott McKenna and Willy Boly.

Cook, 31, had made 12 Prem appearances this term before being left out, while O’Brien had made 13 times in the league.

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Forest are desperate to re-register Steve CookCredit: Getty