Why Chris Wood's Awards Trophy Count Is Underestimated
Chris Wood's Trophy Cabinet: Hidden Gold You Didn't Know Existed
Chris Wood, the New Zealand international striker currently with Nottingham Forest, has secured major trophies including the 2016 OFC Nations Cup with his national team, the 2013-14 EFL Championship with Leicester City, and the 2010-11 League One title during a loan at Brighton & Hove Albion. Beyond team silverware, his personal awards collection boasts the Premier League Player of the Month for October 2024, multiple New Zealand Footballer of the Year honors in 2020 and 2021, and the 2016-17 EFL Championship Golden Boot with 27 goals.
Early Career Foundations
Chris Wood began his professional journey in New Zealand with clubs like Hamilton Wanderers and Waikato FC, scoring 16 goals in 17 NRFL Premier matches in 2007 at age 15. His prolific youth form led to a move to West Bromwich Albion's academy in 2008, where he debuted in the Premier League at 17, becoming one of few Kiwis in England's top flight. Loans to clubs like Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol City, and Millwall honed his skills, yielding 42 goals across those spells.
Team Trophies Won
Wood's cabinet features tangible silverware from key triumphs. He contributed to Leicester City's 2013-14 EFL Championship victory, scoring 8 goals in 29 appearances as they clinched promotion. Earlier, on loan at Brighton, he helped secure the 2010-11 League One title with 9 goals in 31 games. Internationally, he starred in New Zealand's 2016 OFC Nations Cup win, netting 4 goals en route to the trophy.
- 2016 OFC Nations Cup winner with New Zealand - Scored crucial goals in a 4-2 final win over Papua New Guinea on June 11, 2016.
- 2013-14 EFL Championship champion with Leicester City - Part of the squad that finished 1st with 102 points.
- 2010-11 League One champion with Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) - Contributed to 92 points and promotion.
League Titles Breakdown
| Trophy | Club/Team | Season | Wood's Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| OFC Nations Cup | New Zealand | 2015-16 | 4 goals in 7 matches |
| EFL Championship | Leicester City | 2013-14 | 8 goals, 29 apps |
| League One | Brighton (loan) | 2010-11 | 9 goals, 31 apps |
Individual Awards and Honors
Wood's personal accolades outshine many peers, with 2x New Zealand Footballer of the Year (2020, 2021) and 4x top goalscorer titles, including the 2016-17 Championship with 27 goals. In 2024-25, his 20 Premier League goals earned PFA Team of the Year selection and Premier League Fans' Team of the Season. He made history as the first Nottingham Forest player to win Premier League Player of the Month in October 2024, scoring 4 goals in 3 games.
- Premier League Player of the Month: October 2024 - First for Forest and New Zealand, with 4 goals including wins over Leicester and Palace.
- EFL Championship Golden Boot: 2016-17 - 27 goals for Leeds United, earning Player of the Month in January 2017.
- New Zealand Footballer of the Year: 2020, 2021 - Recognized for consistent international and club form.
- PFA Championship Team of the Year: 2016-17 - Alongside teammate Pontus Jansson.
- Leeds United Player of the Year: 2016-17 - Voted by fans and players for 30 goals in 48 games.
"Chris Wood has made history by becoming the first Nottingham Forest player and the first New Zealander to win the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award." - Premier League official statement, November 7, 2024.
International Accolades
Wood captains the All Whites with 88 caps and 45 goals, New Zealand's all-time leading scorer. He won the 2016 OFC Nations Cup and participated in the 2010 World Cup, 2017 Confederations Cup, and Olympics in 2012 and 2021. Awards include IFFHS OFC Best Man Player of the Decade (2011-2020) and multiple New Zealand International Player of the Year (2019, 2021, 2023).
- IFFHS OFC Best Man Player: 2011-2020 decade award.
- New Zealand Player of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021.
- Pride of New Zealand Award: Inaugural recipient in 2024 from New Zealand Society in London.
- Halberg Awards finalist: Sportsman of the Year 2025.
Career Milestones and Stats
Across 614 club games, Wood has 216 goals as of May 2026, including 91 in 271 Premier League appearances. At Nottingham Forest, he holds the all-time Premier League scoring record with 41 goals, surpassing Bryan Roy in December 2024. His 2024-25 season peaked with 20 goals in 36 games, aiding Forest's Europa League qualification.
| Season | Club | League Goals | Total Goals | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Leeds | 27 | 30 | Golden Boot |
| 2019-20 | Burnley | 14 | 14 | Best PL season then |
| 2024-25 | Nott'm Forest | 20 | 20 | PFA Team of Year |
| Career PL | Total | 91 | 41 Forest | Record holder |
Recent Updates and Legacy
As of May 2026, Wood returned from knee surgery in April, aiding Forest in Europa League quarters. His legacy as New Zealand's greatest footballer includes World Cup 2010 participation and leading All Whites to 2026 World Cup. Quotes like "Woody is the pride of New Zealand" from the NZ Society underscore his impact.
Wood's journey from Auckland pitches to Premier League stardom exemplifies persistence, with stats like 549 league games and 194 goals cementing his status. Analysts note his 14% conversion rate in 2024-25 as elite for a target man.
Everything you need to know about Why Chris Woods Awards Trophy Count Is Underestimated
Has Chris Wood Won a Premier League Title?
No, Chris Wood has not won the Premier League trophy. Despite 91 top-flight goals across Burnley, Newcastle, and Forest, his teams finished mid-table at best, with Forest's 7th in 2024-25.
What Is Chris Wood's Biggest Trophy?
The 2016 OFC Nations Cup stands as Wood's premier team trophy, where he scored 4 goals including in the final. It's New Zealand's continental championship, akin to a continental cup.
How Many Goals Has Chris Wood Scored for New Zealand?
Chris Wood has 45 international goals in 88 caps, making him New Zealand's record scorer. Milestones include a 2012 hat-trick vs Solomon Islands and records broken in 2022.
Did Chris Wood Win Awards in 2025?
Yes, in 2024-25, Wood earned PFA Premier League Team of the Year, Fans' Team of the Season, and was a Halberg Awards finalist for Sportsman of the Year after 20 goals.
Chris Wood Nottingham Forest Achievements?
At Forest since 2023, Wood scored 41 Premier League goals, set the club record on December 7, 2024, vs Man Utd, and hit hat-tricks including vs Newcastle (2023) and Brighton (2025).