Charles N'Zogbia is a French footballer of Congolese parentage born on May 28, 1986 in Harfleur. Nicknamed “Zog”, he grew up in Paris in an apartment near the Stade de France. Primarily playing in the left- wing position, he can be occasionally found in the central midfield or fullback position.
Charles N'Zogbia represented the France Under-16 team in 2002, and in 2006, he was a selected for the France Under-21 24-man provisional squad for the European Under-21 Football Championship in Portugal. His brilliant performances for Newcastle earned him a place in the France Under-21 national team in 2007, and Charles N'Zogbia made his debut for the team in its triumph over Wales on September 7, 2007. Once he declined the offer to play for DR Congo, the national football team of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a match against France-B team.
Charles N'Zogbia kicked-off his football career as a youth player at the academy of Le Havre in 2003. At the age of 17, he was spotted by Charlie Woods, the former chief scout of Newcastle United, who helped him venture into trials with the club. Following an impressive training period, he was signed by Newcastle United in September 2004. Charles N'Zogbia made his debut for the club in its victory against Blackburn Rovers on September 11, 2004. He secured a regular place in the first-team during the 2005–06 season, making 41 appearances. Charles N'Zogbia scored the club’s first goal of the season in the match against Fulham, and made his presence felt in the team by contributing a total of six goals and seven assists in that season. This fetched him the fourth place in the club’s list of leading goal scorers of the 2005-06 season. At the end of the season, he extended his contract with Newcastle United for three more years.
Charles N'Zogbia won the confidence of Sir Bobby Robson, the team’s manager, and his fans who chanted “Zog on the Tyne” in return to his contributions to the team’s victories. After recuperating from an injury, Charles N'Zogbia bounced back as a part of the starting line-up for the match against Bolton Wanderers. He scored the opening goal and was instrumental in the team’s win. Charles N'Zogbia signed a new deal with Newcastle on September 4, 2007 that would last until 2012. As of August 2008, he has made 103 appearances for the club and has scored eight goals.
