Turbocharger with exhaust gas recirculation and method of operation

A turbocharger (12), particularly suitable for use in an internal combustion engine (10), recirculates exhaust gas from the turbine (24) to an interstage duct (64) area between two compressor wheels of a multi-stage compressor (26). The turbocharger (12) includes a rotatable shaft (38); a turbine (24) including a turbine wheel (42) carried by the shaft (38); and a multi-stage compressor (26). The multi-stage compressor (26) includes a first compressor wheel (46) carried by the shaft (38), an axially extending first inlet (52) associated with the first compressor wheel (46), and a radially extending first outlet (54) associated with the compressor wheel. A second compressor wheel (48) carried by the shaft (38) includes an axially extending second inlet (58) associated with the second compressor wheel (48), and a radially extending second outlet (60) associated with the second compressor wheel (48). An interstage duct (64) fluidly interconnects in series the first outlet (54) associated with the first compressor wheel (46) and a second inlet (58) associated with the second compressor wheel (48). An exhaust gas recirculation duct (76) fluidly interconnects the turbine (24) with the interstage duct (64). A valve (82) is positioned within the exhaust gas recirculation duct (76).