Thaindian News

London, Feb 3 (DPA) Wigan Athletic completed the signing of midfielder Charles N’Zogbia from Newcastle United.The turbulent 22-year-old moves in a part swap with Wigan midfielder Ryan Taylor, for an undisclosed fee believed to be a Wigan record.

N’Zogbia, who has had a troubled time of late on Tyneside, vowed never to play for the club again after manager Joe Kinnear called him “Insomnia” in a television interview.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce told the club’s website: “I think this boy can be a really good player for us.

“He’s lightning fast going forward but can also play at the back and he fills that left-sided role we’ve been looking for.

“He is young but he has experience. For a boy of his age to have played well over 100 Premier League games is rare, so with his best years ahead of him, he is exactly the type of player we need for the long-term building of Wigan Athletic.”

N’Zogbia, meanwhile, paid tribute to Newcastle, but reiterated his disappointment with Kinnear.

“The best thing for me was to move on,” he told Setanta Sports News. “I didn’t want to play under that manager anymore.

“I will always hold the Newcastle fans in the highest regard and wish them all the best in the future.”

Newcastle, meanwhile, had an 8-million pound-bid for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson rejected Monday.