10 Players Who Regret Leaving Newcastle United

8. Charles N'Zogbia

Sir Bobby Robson's final signing as Newcastle boss in 2004 was a talented, 16 year old French left winger from Le Havre named Charles N'Zogbia. As well as strikers, exciting, exuberant and creative players have always had a place in the hearts of many Newcastle fans and from early on in his Newcastle career, he looked the real deal.

N'Zogbia would grow into a fan favourite for his ability to create out of nothing. His pace scared many an opponent as he was becoming recognised as one of the Premier League's top talents in 2007. Links to the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham followed and N'Zogbia couldn't contain his excitement. He wanted out. Nothing materialised and the Frenchman stayed on, but as the going got tough, he got restless.

Just like Given, in January 2009 N'Zogbia left Newcastle. After a rather comedic moment, when Joe Kinnear famously called him Charles "Insomnia" in an interview, he signed for Wigan Athletic, showing his true colours in the process. Although he had a rather successful spell at the club, enhancing his reputation, the lack of appetite for football in the town was evident and N'Zogbia soon outgrew his club.

He was linked with a return to his former side but that ship had sailed. He joined Aston Villa, linking up with Given again, in the summer of 2011, but injuries and Paul Lambert's iron fist have limited his impact at Villa Park. He retired in 2016 after a medical at Nantes discovered an underlying heart problem.