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CHRIS WOOD
  • 39
  • CHRIS WOOD
  • STRIKER

UPDATED 07:05 17th July 2012

ALBION Academy product Wood became the club's youngest player to appear at a World Cup when he played for New Zealand at South Africa 2010 after helping them reach the Finals through the play-offs.

The highlight of his three substitute appearances in the tournament was coming within inches of scoring a winner in the Kiwis' 1-1 draw with Italy as they finished third in Group F thanks to their first ever World Cup points.

Wood enjoyed a successful season on loan with Brighton in 2010/11 as he fired ten goals - including one in the FA Cup - in 31 starts and seven sub appearances, to help seal the League One title and promotion.

The Baggies' official Young Player of the Year in the 2009/10 season, he scored his first senior goal in that September's Championship win over Doncaster and netted ten times for the reserves - including two hat-tricks.

He also scooped the Nike Young Men's Player-of-the-Year Award for the second successive year at the New Zealand Football (NZF) Awards in May 2010.

He rounded off a tremendous year by signing a new three-and-a-half year deal, plus a further year's option in the club's favour, in December 2009.

He was rewarded with his first professional contract in May 2009, completing a rapid rise to prominence for the young Auckland-born ace, who was also part of the New Zealand squad at the 2009 Confederations Cup. 

He figured once as a substitute in the tournament when he came on for his third cap in a 2-0 defeat by hosts South Africa. 

Prior to that he earned his second cap as a substitute in a 4-3 friendly defeat by World Champions Italy, in Pretoria. 

He only joined the Academy in summer 2008 but having cut his teeth at Under-18, reserves and Premier League level, made a surprise senior debut as a second-half sub at Portsmouth in April 2009. 

Wood made his second Barclays Premier League appearance late on at Blackburn.

Wood has a British passport but has lived in New Zealand for a number of years. 

He also represented New Zealand at Under-16/17s level.


(LAST UPDATED AUGUST 15, 2011)

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