Wigan & Newcastle swap Taylor for N'Zogbia

By Gregg Davies
published

Newcastle United midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has joined Wigan Athetic, with Ryan Taylor moving in the opposite direction. The Latics have paid a club record fee to land the France Under 21 international, who has signed a three and a half year deal at the JJB Stadium. "I think this boy can be a really good player for us," Wigan manager Steve Bruce told the club's official website. "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. I'm delighted to have him on board."

Taylor leaves the Latics after nearly four years at the JJB stadium, with Bruce adding:

"It was one of those decisions that was quite easy to make really in the circumstances. Newcastle have made him a fantastic offer and I know he has been angling to try and play in his preferred position on the right side, which we haven't been able to do very regularly.

"He is a superb striker of the ball and it is ironic how this game works sometimes. All that pain he has inflicted on Newcastle in the past has probably bought him a move there. He was always totally professional here and I wish him all the best in his new career."

Taylor made 56 league appearances for Wigan after joining from Tranmere in July 2005. He scored six times in total, with four of them coming against new employers Newcastle, three of them free-kicks and the other a spectacular long-range effort with the outside of his boot.

"I want to thank Wigan for the way they stuck by me in dark times when I was injured," he said. "I also want to say thanks to the Wigan supporters who have always been behind me. I hope they understand that I feel it's time for a fresh challenge. I haven't had the best of luck here injury wise and 50 games in three and a half seasons tells its story.

"I feel I want to make up for lost time, and try and specialise in one position. I have to think about what's best for me but I will always wish the club well because it's been a big part of my life and I've made a lot of friends there."

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.