Chris Wood is signing a new contract at Nottingham Forest in another huge boost for manager Nuno Espírito Santo.

The New Zealand international agreed terms on a 2½-year deal on Wednesday night and is committing his future to the club past his 35th birthday.

Wood has been a revelation in Forest’s outstanding season, scoring 14 Premier League goals to take the club up to third in the table.

In November he was named as Forest’s first ever Premier League player of the month.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport on October 28, Forest opened contract talks with Wood as his previous deal expired at the end of this campaign.

Wood, 33, has now officially signed and is the latest player to agree a new contract after Brazilian centre-back Murillo.

Negotiations are ongoing with defender Ola Aina while Forest are planning to start negotiations later in the year with other key players, including Morgan Gibbs-White.

Wood was initially signed for £15 million from Newcastle United on loan in January 2023, before joining on a long-term contract in the summer of that year.

He said: “We’re not thinking about where we are in the table, we’re thinking game by game and let’s see where it takes us in May.

“Let the fans dream and enjoy it, that’s what it’s all about. For us as players, we’re just keeping the mindset we’ve had from the very first game of the season against Bournemouth.”

Forest are working on signings before the transfer window closes and earlier this week had an £18 million bid for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa rejected.

Wissa is a serious target despite Wood’s impact this season and Forest are poised to make another offer to sign the DR Congo forward.

Forest are also set to allow Republic of Ireland international Andrew Omobamidele to leave the club and are locked in talks with French side Strasbourg.

Nuno’s squad travel to fellow surprise package Bournemouth this weekend.

Forest’s strength at retention is even more significant than their recruitment

Nuno Espírito Santo can resemble a cautious opening batsman when questioned on transfers, but one message has always been clear from the Portuguese.

He has consistently maintained that keeping his squad together has always been the main objective, and by Murillo and Wood signing new contracts that sends out a vital message.

Forest managed to repel interest from rival clubs last summer for their squad, and it is even more important to retain key players as they hunt down a top-four finish.

Fending off interest in host of City Ground stars

The likes of Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Neco Williams attracted interest last year but all have stayed to play key parts in the club’s remarkable progress.

This season you can now add Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson to the list of players who have admirers at other clubs.

The news on Murillo and Wood is further proof of Forest’s backing for Nuno, and the excellent working relationship between Forest’s manager and owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Forest’s Greek billionaire owner has made no secret of his desire to elevate the club into European competition, and is staying true to his word.

With the second half of the season now upon us, hopes remain high that Forest can finish the campaign with a memorable flourish.

Return to Europe the goal

While the title may be beyond them, a return to European competition for the first time in 30 years would be a fitting reward.

“We are working. The club is working and more than anything it is working on the aspect of keeping our players here,” Nuno said recently.

“That’s because this is the squad that we have and these are the players that are going to solve all our problems. It is not easy to operate in this market and because we only consider options that will improve us, it is not easy.

“It’s a tricky market for all teams. So that’s why I say we will work the other way around and let’s keep our players here.”