Newcastle full their £25m swoop for Chris Wooden as they raid relegation rivals Burnley to signal the striker on a two-and-a-half yr deal... and he is set to make his debut in crunch conflict with Watford
- Newcastle have bolstered their attacking choice with the arrival of Chris Wooden
- The 30-year-old could make his Newcastle debut this weekend in opposition to Watford
- Boss Eddie Howe hailed Wooden as 'an important match' for Newcastle's battle for survival
Newcastle have accomplished the £25million signing of Burnley striker Chris Wooden after raiding their relegation rivals and activating the participant's launch clause.
Sportsmail understands senior figures throughout the Turf Moor membership are livid at shedding the New Zealand worldwide to the workforce degree on factors with them within the backside three. They're additionally stated to be upset that the 30-year-old would depart them in such circumstances.
Nonetheless, Newcastle's want for a centre-forward to play at residence to Watford this weekend was pressing - prime scorer Callum Wilson is sidelined for 2 months - they usually have been made conscious of Wooden's launch clause through the completion of the deal to signal Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier, who shares the identical agent.
And after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal, Wooden stated: 'This is a very exciting opportunity for me and I'm delighted to be a Newcastle United participant.
'I have played at St James' Park a couple of occasions and it's an incredible place, so to have the prospect to signify this membership with these unbelievable supporters behind me and my team-mates could be very particular.
'The club and manager have been first class during this process, and I really can't wait to get onto the pitch and repay the religion they've in me, particularly with an important a part of the season forward of us.'
Head coach Eddie Howe stated: 'Chris is an important signing for us at a crucial time and I'm very happy we've got been capable of transfer shortly and convey him right here.
'He is a very dangerous attacking threat, has a physicality and character that I really like, and he has vast experience in the Premier League. He will be a great fit for us.'
Wooden was within the remaining 18 months of his contract at Burnley having joined for £15m from Leeds in 2017. He had scored 53 objectives in 165 appearances.
Newcastle and Burnley are presently locked on 11 factors within the relegation zone, two adrift of fourth-bottom Watford.
The Magpies' solely victory this season got here at residence to Burnley final month and, intriguingly, they're as a consequence of meet once more on the ultimate day of the marketing campaign in Might.