Former Premier League winger Charles N’Zogbia is currently training with Sunderland as he looks to sign for a new club.
The 30-year-old is a free agent after being released by Aston Villa at the end of last season.
Sunderland players and coaches returned to training on Monday and N’Zogbia was pictured behind right back Billy Jones.
The picture released via the club’s social media account sparked mixed reaction from Sunderland fans.
Some said the player was ‘overrated’ and ‘too old’ and many welcomed the idea of N’Zogbia playing on Wearside.
The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Wearside numerous times and has played under current Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce in his time at Newcastle United.
The player played mainly as a left back under Allardyce, a position Sunderland are short of cover in.
Potential first summer signing?
Although Allardyce and Sunderland are said to be doing the player a favour as he seeks a new club, N’Zogbia may well catch the eye of the clubs coaching staff and may be offered a contract. The Frenchman’s versatility could be what the club needs, as well as a vast amount of Premier League experience.
N’Zogbia has played in the Premier League since 2004, playing for three different clubs: Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa, scoring 28 goals and making over 250 appearances. The 30-year-old has seen his career fade away in his time at Villa Park and hadn’t started a competitive match since the 2015 FA Cup final. Villa had suffered their worst ever season in the division and were forced to offload a number of high earners, including N’Zogbia, in the wake of their relegation to the Championship.
Sunderland are still on the lookout for their first signing of the Summer transfer window, although they have extended the contracts of Vito Mannone, Jermain Defoe and Patrick Van Aanholt so far.