Chris Wood was the star for Leeds United last season.
Chris Wood’s mother, Julie Wood, has explained to Stuff.co.nz why the Leeds United striker spent time out on loan during his career.
Wood was on the books of West Bromwich Albion from 2009 until 2013, during which time he spent time on loan at Barnsley, Brighton and Hove Albion, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Millwall and Leicester City.
The New Zealand international striker moved to Leicester on a permanent contract in 2013, but after a loan spell at Ipswich Town in 2015, he switched to Leeds.
It is at the Championship club that Wood has shown real promise. During the 2016-17 campaign, the 25-year-old scored 27 goals and provided four assists in 44 league matches for Leeds.
Wood’s mother, Julie Wood, has explained the route taken by the striker, and has revealed that the former West Brom man always believed in himself.
“He’s always believed that he could have this sort of year, he’s just needed to be given the chance,” Julie Wood told Stuff.co.nz.
“He never wanted to sit on a bench, so he was always the one who wanted to go out to all these clubs, to get the experience, because he was so young.
“He had to serve his apprenticeship, and he did, by doing all those loan moves, getting strong, absorbing as much as he possibly could from each coach, and then he finally made the move.
“He could have stayed at Leicester two years ago, but he knew he’d either be on the bench or up in the stand, so he had to move to a club that would give him time to play, and that’s what Leeds gave him.”
Wood seems to have finally found a ‘home’ at Leeds, and the Elland Road faithful will hope that the striker continues to play well.
It will be interesting to see if the former Leicester man is able to repeat his heroics next season under a new head coach.
Garry Monk has left Leeds for Middlesbrough, with Thomas Christiansen replacing him at Elland Road.
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