Wigan signing Charles N'Zogbia will start on a clean slate according to manager Steve Bruce.

The Latics boss admitted he thought his club could not afford the 22-year old and after a tumultuous stay at Newcastle United thought it may be a risk to sign him but Bruce is confident it will be a good move for both player and club.

"We thought he would be too expensive for us, then all of a sudden there was a phone call between myself and Dennis Wise that set something in motion with Ryan Taylor going the other way and we are delighted to get him here," Bruce said at a press conference on Thursday.

"We have needed someone with that natural left foot, he meets the criteria of what we are looking for. He is only 22, has played over 100 games in The Premier League.

"He has had a tough time at Newcastle for whatever reason, he has had five or six managers and he is only a boy, so I hope this can be a club where he enjoys himself again," added Bruce.

"You speak to anybody and they will say he has got great talent. Whatever has happened at Newcastle it is our gain.

"It (reputation) never worries me. I give everyone a clean slate and try to treat them with the respect they deserve and make sure it is my job to manage them.

"Half the job is managing the personalities you have got, he is certainly a young lad so I have no problems with that."