Best is still to come, insists Kiwi forward

CHRIS Wood said he believes his best years are still very much ahead of him after completing a £25million move to Newcastle.

The New Zealand striker is likely to make his debut against Watford at St James’ Park tomorrow, having become the club’s second new signing this month after another former Burnley man Kieran Trippier.

The Magpies have now spent a combined £37million on two players in their thirties, marking a stark contrast to the Mike Ashley era during which youth was the key focus in the transfer market.

The 30-year-old penned a two-and-a-half year deal and expects to make a big impact on Tyneside during that time.

Wood told The Chronicle: “I am extremely happy to be here. Some of the best years in my career are ahead.

“I have a lot more to give and I hope this team can bring the best out of me and hopefully even more than in recent years.”

The move to sign the towering forward came about very quickly and left the Clarets stunned as Newcastle met a release clause in the star’s contract.

That eagerness to strike a deal combined with the opportunity to join a club with stratospheric ambition made a situation Wood could not turn down.

The ex-Leicester and Leeds star added: “This is a big challenge for me but it could be potentially great for me and the club.

“The opportunity to move club does not come very often.

“To turn it down when the club and manager pushed so hard to get me – I felt wanted, so there is nothing better than being loved as a striker.

“It was the right time for a new challenge in my life.”

Wood arrived at Turf Moor in 2017 for a then club-record £15million and repaid the Clarets with 53 goals in 165 games.

Now, however, he will have to fire one of their relegation rivals to safety and will have to hit the ground running with the 19th-placed Magpies.

Asked how much he is looking forward to working with Howe, Wood said: “You have seen from his time in Newcastle how he is changing the team and the way they play.

“Eddie’s teams are well known for playing from the back and keeping the ball. He has great ideas.

“I have seen it on the training pitch today and there is a lot of creativity in this team - I can see chances coming my way so I am hoping I can do the business.”