Newcastle have signed French 18-year-old left sided midfielder Charles N’Zogbia from French second division outfit Le Havre.

Newcastle will have to pay compensation to N’Zogbia’s team, as the player is under 23 years of age and was brought through the youth academy there.

It has been reported that Newcastle had beaten off a number of leading European clubs in order to sign the youngster.

N’Zogbia a former French Under-17 international, had been on trial since the beginning of July, and impressed enough to warrant the transfer.