(Football News) Newcastle United have continued their winter transfer spending spree by purchasing Chris Wood from Burnley for a reported fee of £25m on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Newcastle triggered the release clause for the 30-year-old striker in his contract, following the news top scorer Callum Wilson has been ruled out for eight weeks with a calf injury. He will become Newcastle's second signing this month after Kieran Trippier was purchased for £12m from Atletico Madrid. 

Wood had been a key player for Burnley not only this season but also over the years. Burnley are just above Newcastle on goal difference in the bottom three and Wood has started 19 games for the Clarets this season. The New Zealand international has three goals for Burnley this season but his vast experience of playing in the Premier League could be the key for Newcastle’s as they take on Watford this weekend. The move makes a lot of sense for Newcastle as their first choice striker Callum Wilson is out for a lengthy period as Wood is quite Wilson’s equal but he has scored 10 or more goals in each of the past four seasons for Burnley which is no mean achievement for a side frequently on the back foot. Wood for Burnley has scored 49 goals in 144 league matches during his four-and-a-half years tenure at the Turf Moor

Burnley on the other hand have suffered a huge loss as their talisman leaves for their relegation threatened rivals. This is a major blow for them and increases their chances of going down as not only Wood left for Newcastle but their other goalscorer Maxwel Cornet who is representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations as this could exert a disastrous effect on Burnley’s survival hopes. With three from Norwich, Newcastle, Burnley and Watford appearing Championship-bound it could effectively rescue Howe’s team. A lot of eyes will be on the new Burnley ownership for them to deliver a proven goalscorer for their chance of survival. 

Chris Wood said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for me and I'm delighted to be a Newcastle United playerI have played at St. James' Park a few times and it's an amazing place, so to have the chance to represent this club with those incredible supporters behind me and my team-mates is very special.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 faith they have in me, especially with a vital part of the season ahead of us."

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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe said: "Chris is an important signing for us at a crucial time and I'm very pleased we have been able to move quickly and bring him 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."