Source: FOOTYMAD
At Last - N'Zogbia Signs!
After weeks of rumour ... former Toon winger Charles N'Zogbia has finally left Wigan. He joins Aston Villa on a five-year contract. The club confirmed on their website today that the 25-year-old France international had passed a medical and would be available for next Wednesday's pre-season fixture against Derby at Pride Park and for the August 6 date with Braga in Portugal. N'Zogbia announced himself on the Premier League stage after joining Newcastle as a teenager from Le Havre in September 2004. He made 118 appearances for the Magpies before moving to Wigan in January 2009. Alan Pardew tried to sign him in the January transfer window and came very close, but after agreeing a fee with Wigan, N'Zogbia couldn't agree personal terms. Pardew tried again last month, but the asking price of £10m was out of Newcastle's reach. Charles N'Zogbia: "I am really happy and extremely excited to sign for Aston Villa. "It is a great club and it is a really big step for me in my career, so I am sure I will enjoy my football here. "I think it is going to be a really good season and hopefully I'll do well here. "I can't wait to meet my new team-mates, play with them and work together to do something special this season. "Alex McLeish is a strong manager and I think he is going to build a really good team for this season." Wigan manager Roberto Martinez: "We're all disappointed to lose a player like Charles N'Zogbia, who has been fantastic for Wigan Athletic over the last two years and who we feel has grown as a player in that time too. "There have been some very enjoyable moments during his time at the club, he made his international debut with France and scored his first goal for his country whilst a Wigan Athletic player - memories I'm sure he'll always treasure as we will. "Now is the time for him to move on to a club who have matched the market valuation for him and allow us to move on, reinvest and take our football club onto another level."
