Charles N'Zogbia

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Charles N'Zogbia
Personal information
Full name Charles N'Zogbia
Date of birth May 28, 1986 (age 20)
Place of birth    Harfleur, France
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Nickname The Zog
Zoggy
Zog on the Tyne
Playing position Winger
Club information
Current club Newcastle United
Number 14
Youth clubs
2003–04 Le Havre
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2004–present Newcastle United 63 (5)   
National team2
France U16 02 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 20:52, 25 February 2007 (UTC).
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 21:42, 7 December 2006 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Charles N'Zogbia (born 28 May 1986 in Harfleur, France) is a French footballer, currently playing for the English Premier League club Newcastle United, whom he joined in 2004 from French club Le Havre AC. He has played primarily as a left winger for Newcastle, although his natural role is attacking central midfielder and in some games has featured in this position for Newcastle.

Contents

[edit] Newcastle United

N'Zogbia's transfer to Newcastle proved to be controversial. Le Havre had tied him to an educational contract, but FIFA and Newcastle claimed that the player had freedom of contract to move on a free transfer. After a protracted saga involving the threat of a case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Newcastle eventually paid a nominal fee to sign him from the French club. The compensation Le Havre received was thought to be in the region of £250,000. Newcastle officially signed N'Zogbia on 2 September 2004.

Charles N'Zogbia proved to be an instant hit on Tyneside. He has developed a cult following, and many Newcastle fans affectionately refer to him as 'Zoggy', 'The Zog' or 'Super N'Zoggy'. As well as this, some quarters of the St James' Park faithful have been known to chant "Zog on the Tyne" in appreciation to his contribution to the team. This is in reference to the hit song "Fog on the Tyne" by Newcastle folk/rock band Lindisfarne.

[edit] Season 2004-05

His first season at St. James' Park brought only moderate success. His debut for the club came in the 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on September 11, 2004. He could not quite break into the first-team, but did make a total of twenty-two appearances that season, including some in the UEFA Cup. Newcastle reached the quarter-finals of the competition and finished a below standard 14th in the Premiership.

[edit] Season 2005-06

In the 2005-06 season, N'Zogbia made a greater number of first team appearances for Newcastle, taking part in forty-one games, including seven as substitute. He scored United's first goal of the season in the 1-1 draw at home to Fulham, with a skillful free kick. He has contributed with some other important goals in wins over FK ZTS Dubnica (3-1), Blackburn Rovers (3-0), Portsmouth (2-0), Aston Villa (2-1) and a solo effort in the 4-1 win over fierce rivals Sunderland. After his impressive performances in the 2005-06 season, N'Zogbia received appraisal from Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder, who said he should be aiming for a career in the French national team.

He finished fourth in the club's leading goal scorers in the 2005-06 season with six goals. He also contributed five assists in the Premier League. This good form attracted clubs such as Arsenal but he signed a three year contract extension for Newcastle at the end of the season. Newcastle finished 7th in the Premiership that season.

[edit] Season 2006-07

The signing of Damien Duff at Newcastle on July 22, 2006 raised speculation over N'Zogbia's future at the club. However, manager Glenn Roeder stated that N'Zogbia still had a big part to play this season, but could not be expected to take part in every game at his age due to the risk of burnout.

N'Zogbia took part in both of Newcastle's Intertoto Cup games against Norwegian club Lillestrøm. Newcastle advanced to the UEFA Cup after beating Lillestom 4-1 on aggregate. He then scored in a 2-1 win over Norwich in a testimonial match for Craig Fleming.

He was injured during the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on December 13, 2006 and did not return till late February 2007

Numerous tabloids claimed Arsenal were ready to make a £6m plus Jeremie Alliadier swoop for the talented frenchman, but these rumours were put to bed when N'Zogbia signed a new contract with the Magpies. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also said he would make no additions to his squad in the January transfer window.

[edit] France national team

N'Zogbia has played twice for the France-under-16 national side. In the summer of 2006, he was selected for the France-under-21 twenty-four-man provisional squad for the European Under-21 Football Championship in Portugal. However, because of an ongoing dispute between Newcastle, Le Havre and the French FA concerning his move to The Magpies, the France coach had no choice but to leave him out of the final squad.

[edit] Clubs

[edit] Trivia

  • N'Zogbia was the last player signed by former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson before he left the club early in the 2004-05 season.
  • He scored Newcastle's first goal of the 2005-06 Premiership season.

[edit] Notes

    [edit] External links


    Newcastle United F.C. - Current Squad

    1 Given | 2 Carr | 4 Solano | 5 Emre | 7 Luque | 8 Dyer | 9 Martins | 10 Owen | 11 Duff | 12 Harper | 14 N'Zogbia | 15 Onyewu | 16 Milner | 17 Parker | 18 Moore | 19 Bramble | 20 Sibierski | 21 Clark | 22 Butt | 23 Ameobi | 24 Srníček | 26 Ramage | 27 Taylor | 30 Edgar | 32 Huntington | 33 Babayaro | 34 Bernard | 35 Pattison | 36 Gate | 37 O'Brien | 39 Carroll | 40 Krul | 42 Troisi | 43 LuaLua | 49 Forster | Manager: Roeder
    Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/h/a/Charles_N%27Zogbia_f11e.html"