PLAYER PROFILE

Charles N'Zogbia

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'9

Weight: 11st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1986-05-28 Harfleur, France

Charles N'Zogbia

Newcastle United completed the signing of teenage French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia in August 2004.

The 18-year-old was one of the most highly rated youngster's in France, and had been training with the Magpies for a month after deciding against extending his contract with Le Havre and impressed Sir Bobby Robson sufficiently to earn a contract.

Although N'Zogbia was out of contract the Magpies still had to pay the French side a fee because of his age, but they expected the compensation package to be just £250,000.

His first season at St. James' Park brought only moderate success. He could not quite break into a regular first-team place, but did make a total of 19 appearances.

However, in the 2005/06 season, N'Zogbia truly found his feet, making thirty-seven appearances and scoring five times.

Injury hampered his progress somewhat in 2006/07, but he did manage to make nearly forty appearances. This fine form continued into 2007/08, but midway through 2008/09 he began to agitate for a move away from St James' Park. In February 2009 he moved to Wigan Athletic.