As reported by myself last week following a deal agreed with Dave Whelan, Charles N’Zogbia has today finally been announced as an Aston Villa player. Signing on a five year contract, N’Zogbia will, in my opinion, be an excellent replacement for Ashley Young, and illustrates a canny nature in the transfer market under Alex McLeish that we have not seen in recent years.

I personally am very excited by the signing as I have followed the lad since his time in the youth ranks at Le Havre, and thus I am delighted that we have signed an excellent player. It is worth noting that he came second in Europe only to Lionel Messi for dribbles completed, so that illustrates my point far quicker than any other way of putting it. The fact that he has signed a five year deal is also a very positive sign as this will either tie him down for his best years, or will offer a high resale value in the eventuality of a sale.

N’Zogbia will wear the number 10 shirt.

Below is the official club statement:

Club Statement

The Club are delighted to confirm that Charles N’Zogbia completed a medical today and has agreed a five-year deal to 2016.

The 25-year-old French international winger formalised his signing this afternoon and he will be available for next Wednesday’s fixture against Derby at Pride Park and for our game against Braga on Saturday, August 6 at Estadio Municipal de Braga.

“I am really happy and extremely excited to sign for Aston Villa,” said N’Zogbia.

“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.”

N’Zogbia Profile

N’Zogbia has firmly established himself in the Barclays Premier League since making his debut for Newcastle United in September 2004.

The man from Harfleur, in the Normandy region of France, was spotted by the Magpies at the age of 17 whilst playing for Le Havre.

He amassed 118 appearances at Newcastle, operating primarily as a left winger as well as occasionally filling in at left-back.

N’Zogbia moved to Wigan on the last day of the January transfer window in 2009 and was a pivotal figure during his two-and-a-half-year spell with the Latics.

The winger played an integral part in helping Wigan avoid relegation last term with five goals from the final six top-flight games, including a superb strike against Villa in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park in April.

He also finished as the club’s top goalscorer, finding the net 10 times in all competitions.

Some terrific displays in the Premier League attracted the attention of France boss Laurent Blanc, who handed N’Zogbia his international debut against Norway in August.

In his second appearance for Les Bleus last month, N’Zogbia scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 friendly victory over Poland.

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