Chris Wood is New Zealand’s greatest-ever footballer and one of the Premier League’s most consistent strikers.
This article covers his estimated net worth, his Nottingham Forest contract, annual salary, career earnings, and everything else you need to know.
Chris Wood’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Grant Wood |
| Date of Birth | 7 December 1991 |
| Age | 34 |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Current Club | Nottingham Forest (Premier League) |
| Turned Professional | 2009 (West Bromwich Albion) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £25 million |
| Annual Salary | ~£4.68 million (~£90,000 per week) |
| Contract Expiry | 30 June 2027 |
| Relationship Status | Married to Emma Wood (née Lovell) |
| @chriswoodofficial11 |
Early Life and Career
Christopher Grant Wood was born on 7 December 1991 in Auckland, New Zealand, to Grant and Julie Wood.
His mother is of English origin, which would later ease his move to England as a teenager. Wood began playing football at Onehunga Sports from 1996, before moving to Hamilton at age 11 and attending St Paul’s Collegiate School.
His early footballing development came through Cambridge United FC in New Zealand between 2002 and 2006, followed by spells with Hamilton Wanderers and WaiBOP United.
His performances for the All Whites youth setup caught international attention — he was a standout at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which earned him a trial with English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.
Wood signed his first professional contract with West Brom at the end of the 2008–09 season — a two-year deal with a further two-year option.
He wasted no time making an impression, scoring his first professional goal on 15 September 2009 with a stunning 25-yard strike against Doncaster Rovers. His sister, Chelsey Wood, also plays football and has represented New Zealand at under-20 level.
Professional Career
Wood spent several years on loan developing his game at Barnsley, Brighton & Hove Albion, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall, and eventually Leicester City.
It was at Leicester in 2013 where he truly arrived — he scored twice on his debut and finished the promotion-winning season with eight goals, helping the Foxes clinch the Championship title.
After a brief loan at Ipswich Town in 2015, Wood signed for Leeds United on a four-year deal. His time at Elland Road was transformational.
In the 2016–17 season, he became the Championship’s top scorer with 27 league goals, earning the EFL Championship Player of the Month award and serious top-flight interest.
Burnley signed him for a club-record fee in the summer of 2017. Over four and a half seasons at Turf Moor, Wood scored 49 goals in 144 appearances, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most dependable strikers.
He even scored the first Premier League hat-trick by a New Zealander, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in April 2021.
In January 2022, Newcastle United triggered his £25 million release clause — the most expensive transfer ever for an Oceanian player at the time.
After a difficult spell on Tyneside, he joined Nottingham Forest on loan in January 2023 before making the move permanent for a reported £15 million in June 2023.
At Forest, Wood hit top form. He scored 15 goals in the 2023–24 season, then surpassed all expectations in 2024–25 by netting 20 Premier League goals, including a hat-trick in a 7–0 demolition of Brighton.
That remarkable season helped Forest qualify for European competition for the first time in 30 years. He was voted into the PFA Team of the Year by his fellow players at the end of 2024–25.
A knee injury in October 2025 sidelined him until April 2026, when he returned to feature in Nottingham Forest’s Europa League quarter-final against Porto.
Wood captains the New Zealand national team and represented the All Whites at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having also appeared at the 2010 edition.
Girlfriend
Wood has been in a long-term relationship with Emma Lovell, a solicitor. The couple married in June 2024.
In October 2024, Wood announced that he and Emma were expecting their first child, a baby girl. The family is based in Nottingham, England.
Chris Wood’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Chris Wood’s has an estimated net worth of £25 million.
He built this wealth primarily through professional football contracts across New Zealand, England, and the top flight of the Premier League.
His multi-year deal at Nottingham Forest, combined with Nike endorsement income and other investments, has secured his financial standing well beyond his playing career.
Contract
Wood signed a contract extension with Nottingham Forest in January 2025, extending his stay at the City Ground through to 30 June 2027.
According to Capology, the deal carries £9.36 million remaining across two years, representing a significant show of faith from the club following his record-breaking 2024–25 season.
His original move to Forest was made permanent for a reported £15 million in June 2023, following an initial loan from Newcastle United.
Transfermarkt lists his current market value at €6.4 million given his age, though his on-pitch output far outweighs that valuation.
Salary
Wood currently earns an estimated £4.68 million per year at Nottingham Forest, which equates to approximately £90,000 per week.
This ranks him among the higher-earning strikers in the squad. Spotrac confirms the average annual value of his current contract at $4,680,000, while salary tracking platforms place his weekly wage in the £82,000–£100,000 range depending on bonuses.
His highest-earning spell was likely his time at Burnley and Newcastle United, where he commanded Premier League wages across nearly five seasons.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Leeds United | ~£500,000 |
| 2016–17 | Leeds United | ~£700,000 |
| 2017–18 | Burnley | ~£2,500,000 |
| 2018–19 | Burnley | ~£2,600,000 |
| 2019–20 | Burnley | ~£2,800,000 |
| 2020–21 | Burnley | ~£3,000,000 |
| 2021–22 | Burnley / Newcastle | ~£3,200,000 |
| 2022–23 | Newcastle / Nottingham Forest (loan) | ~£3,500,000 |
| 2023–24 | Nottingham Forest | ~£4,160,000 |
| 2024–25 | Nottingham Forest | ~£4,680,000 |
| 2025–26 | Nottingham Forest | ~£4,680,000 |
Endorsements
Wood has a long-standing endorsement relationship with Nike, who supply his boots and training gear.
The exact financial terms of this deal are not publicly disclosed, but Nike partnerships at Premier League level typically carry six-figure annual values.
Beyond boots, Wood maintains a presence on social media that attracts brand partnerships, though he keeps the commercial side of his career relatively low-key compared to more high-profile Premier League players.
His status as New Zealand’s most-capped international and all-time leading goalscorer gives him a unique market profile — particularly in the Oceania region, where football interest continues to grow ahead of and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Brom / Loans | 2009–2013 | ~60 | ~15 | — |
| Leicester City | 2013–2015 | 46 | 14 | 3 |
| Leeds United | 2015–2017 | 82 | 43 | 7 |
| Burnley | 2017–2022 | 144 | 49 | 9 |
| Newcastle United | 2022–2023 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Nottingham Forest (loan) | 2023 | 16 | 6 | 1 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2023–2026 | ~90 | ~44 | ~8 |
| New Zealand (International) | 2009–2026 | 91 | 45 | — |
FAQs
What is Chris Wood’s net worth?
Chris Wood’s estimated net worth is £25 million. He earned this through Premier League contracts at Burnley, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest, plus endorsement income from Nike and other brand partners.
How much does Chris Wood earn per week?
Wood earns an estimated £90,000 per week at Nottingham Forest. His annual salary is approximately £4.68 million, making him one of the higher-paid players at the City Ground.
When does Chris Wood’s contract expire?
His current contract with Nottingham Forest runs until 30 June 2027. He signed the extension in January 2025 after his outstanding 2024–25 Premier League season, during which he scored 20 goals.
How many goals has Chris Wood scored for New Zealand?
Wood has scored 45 international goals for the All Whites in 91 appearances, making him New Zealand’s all-time leading goalscorer and record appearance holder. He represented New Zealand at both the 2010 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.
What is Chris Wood’s most expensive transfer?
Wood’s £25 million move from Burnley to Newcastle United in January 2022 was his most expensive transfer and, at the time, the costliest transfer ever involving an Oceanian player. He later joined Nottingham Forest permanently for a reported £15 million in June 2023.
