For other people of the same name, see Andrew Carroll (disambiguation).

Andy Carroll

Carroll playing for Liverpool
Personal information
Full name	Andrew Thomas Carroll[1]
Date of birth	(1989-01-06) 6 January 1989 (age 23)[1]
Place of birth	Gateshead, England
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Liverpool
Number	9
Youth career
2005–2006	Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006–2011	Newcastle United	80	(31)
2007–2008	→ Preston North End (loan)	11	(1)
2011–	Liverpool	42	(6)
National team‡
2007–2008	England U19	8	(4)
2009–2010	England U21	5	(2)
2010–	England	4	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:45, 10 April 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:52, 6 January 2012 (UTC)

Andrew Thomas Carroll (born 6 January 1989) is an English footballer who plays for Liverpool and the England national team as a striker.

Carroll started his professional career with Newcastle United in 2006, before spending a brief period on loan with Preston North End, during which time he scored his first league goal. He established himself as a regular in the Newcastle first team by 2008, and following Newcastle's relegation from the Premier League to the Championship in 2009, scored 17 goals in 39 appearances to help Newcastle finish first in the league, earning immediate promotion back to the Premier League in the process. He continued to play for Newcastle in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances.

Carroll signed for Liverpool on the last day of the transfer window on 31 January 2011 for a fee of £35 million, which to date represents both Liverpool's most expensive ever signing, and the highest amount ever paid by one club to another for a British footballer.^[2] Carroll was bought to replace Fernando Torres, who moved from Liverpool to Chelsea on the same day for a fee of £50 million, making Carroll the second-most expensive player currently playing for a British club, behind Torres. An injury sustained in December delayed his Liverpool debut until March 2011, and he scored his first two goals for his new club in April 2011 in a 3–0 victory over Manchester City.

Club career[link]

Newcastle United[link]

Carroll, an occasional scorer in Newcastle United's reserve team, made his first-team debut on 2 November 2006 at the age of 17 years and 300 days in a 1-0 UEFA Cup win over Palermo, coming on as a late substitute for Nolberto Solano. In doing so, he became the youngest ever player to represent Newcastle in Europe.^[3]

He made his FA Cup debut on 17 January 2007, appearing as substitute for the last ten minutes in the 5–1 home defeat by Birmingham City.^[4] On 25 February 2007, Carroll made his Premier League debut for Newcastle, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute in the 1–0 defeat by Wigan Athletic, almost scoring in the process; only a good save from Wigan goalkeeper John Filan prevented him from scoring his first Newcastle goal.^[5]

In 2007, he was the recipient of the "Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy", which is awarded every year to the rising star of North-East football, chosen from among Newcastle players.^[6]

On 29 July 2007, Carroll scored his first senior goal with a left foot shot in a 2–0 win over Juventus in a friendly match. After the game, Carroll received praise from Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who tipped Carroll to have a big future.^[7]

On 14 August 2007, Carroll began a six-month loan with Preston North End,^[8] and made his debut for them in the League Cup against Morecambe on the same day.^[9] Carroll was sent off playing for Preston against Scunthorpe United on 18 September.^[10] He scored his first Championship goal, and his first English league goal, against Leicester City on 6 November.^[11]

Carroll wearing the iconic number 9 for Newcastle United

Carroll made his first appearance for Newcastle in the 2008–09 season on 20 October, coming on as a substitute for Shola Ameobi at home to Manchester City.^[12] Carroll scored his first competitive goal for Newcastle on his first ever home start with a header against West Ham United in a 2–2 draw on 10 January 2009.^[13] He signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract on 12 March 2009, in theory keeping him at Newcastle until 2012.^[14]

Following Newcastle's relegation, and the departures of first team strikers, Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins,^[15] Carroll was paired with Shola Ameobi in attack for Newcastle at the start of the new season.^[16] His first league goal in the Championship came on 16 September 2009 against Blackpool with a header.^[17] By 2010 Carroll was playing almost every game, in a new strike partnership with Peter Løvenkrands. This partnership accounted for more than half of the club's goals in 2010.^[18] Carroll finished the season as Newcastle's top scorer, with 19 goals in all competitions, 17 in the league.^[18]

Carroll was given squad number 9 for the 2010–11 season, a number with great significance for Newcastle United supporters, as it has been worn in the past for Newcastle by the likes of Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer.^[19] Carroll scored his first career hat-trick against Aston Villa in the their 6–0 win in the Premier League on 22 August 2010.^[20][21] Carroll captained Newcastle for the first time on 3 October 2010 when he came on as a substitute for Kevin Nolan against Manchester City.^[22] In October 2010, Carroll signed a new five-year contract, on paper keeping him at the club until 2015.^[23] Carroll scored Newcastle's third in a 3–1 victory over Liverpool at St. James' Park on 11 December 2010, with a low 25-yard drive.^[24]

Liverpool[link]

Carroll warming up before facing Fulham

On 31 January 2011, Liverpool put in a bid of £30 million for Carroll, which was rejected.^[25] Newcastle then accepted a bid of £35 million and, following the agreement of personal terms and a medical, the transfer was completed shortly before the 11.00pm deadline.^[26] Liverpool confirmed that Carroll would wear the number 9 jersey previously worn by Fernando Torres, who left Anfield for Chelsea on the same evening for £50 million.^[27] The transfer made Carroll the eighth overall most expensive footballer at the time, and also the most expensive British footballer of all time. He also became the second most expensive footballer playing for a British club, after Torres.^[28] However, due to an injury that was sustained while with Newcastle United, it was announced that Carroll would have to wait some time before his Liverpool debut.

He finally made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the 3–1 win against Manchester United on 6 March 2011.^[29] On 10 March, he appeared in his first European game for Liverpool in a 1–0 loss at Braga in the Europa League, appearing as a substitute after half-time.^[30] In the return leg a week later, he made his first Liverpool start, although the game finished 0–0, leading to Liverpool going out of the competition losing 1–0 on aggregate.^[31] On 20 March, he made his first Premier League start for Liverpool at the Stadium of Light in a 2-0 victory against Sunderland.^[32] On 11 April, Carroll scored his first goals for Liverpool in a 3–0 victory against Manchester City at Anfield, scoring his first with a long-range strike and his second with a header.^[33][34] He played several more times that season, but did not score any more goals.

On 24 August 2011, he scored his first goal of the new season with a 20-yard drive against Exeter City to make the score 3–0 in the second round of the League Cup.^[35] On 1 October 2011, he scored his first league goal of the 2011–12 season during a 2–0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.^[36] His third goal of the season came in a 2–0 win away at West Brom.^[37] He scored his first goal of 2012 in a 5–1 third-round FA Cup victory against Oldham Athletic.^[38] He would go on to create the Dirk Kuyt goal that would secure victory in the 88th minute over Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup on 28 January, before marking the first anniversary of his signing with Liverpool with his fifth goal of the season in a 3–0 victory away at Wolves on 31 January.^[39] He later scored, and set up team-mate Luis Suárez, during Liverpool's 6–1 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth-round of the FA Cup.^[40] On 26 February, he won his first trophy with Liverpool as they won the League Cup, beating Cardiff in the Final.^[41] On 10 April, he headed an injury-time winner against Blackburn to end Liverpool's run of four games without a win.^[42] Four days later, he headed in another late winner, this time in a 2–1 victory against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, to take Liverpool through to the Final on his 50th appearance for Liverpool.^[43] Carroll described his match-winning goal as "the best feeling ever", with team-mate Jamie Carragher saying the goal was "worth £35 million in itself" and that Carroll would "be remembered forever".^[44]

International career[link]

England youth teams[link]

On 11 September 2007, Carroll made his England under-19 debut against Belarus, scoring in the 4–0 victory.^[45] On 12 March 2009, Carroll, fresh from signing a new contract at Newcastle, was called up to the England U-20s for a match against Italy U-20s, but was withdrawn from the squad and replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu of Swindon Town.^[46]

Carroll received his first call up to the England U-21s on 5 August 2009.^[47] He made his debut on 11 August 2009 against Holland, coming on as a second half substitute.^[48] On his second cap with the under-21 team, on 9 October 2009 against Macedonia U-21s, he scored two goals and assisted another as England romped to a 6–3 win.^[49]

Carroll's performances for Newcastle United earned him a call up to the England squad for the friendly against France on 17 November 2010. Carroll passed a late fitness test to start the match.^[50] Carroll scored his first senior goal, a low left foot drive into the bottom corner, for England on 29 March 2011 in a friendly against Ghana which ended 1–1.^[51] On 15 May 2012, Carroll was included in the squad for the 2012 European Championship.^[52]

International goals[link]

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	29 March 2011	Wembley Stadium, London	Ghana	1–0	1–1	Friendly
As of 29 March 2011.

Style of play[link]

Carroll has been compared to both Newcastle legend Alan Shearer and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.^[53][54][55] He has also been referred to as a classic centre forward, owing to his strength, powerful shot, and excellent heading ability.^[56] Former Newcastle manager and Liverpool player Kevin Keegan stated "he is probably in the top three headers of a ball I have ever seen in football".^[57] After Newcastle's 2-0 victory at home to Blackpool, in which Carroll scored the second goal and was instrumental in creating the first, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway described Carroll as "the best striker in the Premier League".^[58]

Personal life[link]

Born in Gateshead, Carroll attended Brighton Avenue Primary School and Joseph Swan School.^[59] Carroll currently lives in Merseyside with his girlfriend Stacey, and has a daughter from a previous relationship, born 15 September 2009.^[60][61]

Discipline[link]

Carroll has been involved in many off-the-pitch incidents in his career. On 14 September 2008, he was arrested by police in Newcastle, and later accepted a police caution.^[62] On 7 December 2009, he was arrested in the aftermath of a nightclub fight, again in Newcastle, accused of smashing glass in a man's face.^[63] He was charged with assault and in October 2010 he pleaded guilty to common assault and was fined £1,000. He was also ordered to pay £2,500 compensation.^[64]

Whilst on international duty with England U-19s, Carroll and teammates Scott Sinclair and Ryan Bertrand were sent home from the squad after breaking a curfew on 14 October 2007 during preparation for a match against Romania U-19s.^[65]

In March 2010, Carroll was allegedly involved in an altercation with teammate Steven Taylor during training that left Taylor with a broken jaw.^[66] Carroll reportedly suffered a broken hand in the incident, and he was shortly photographed at a pop concert with bandages to both hands.^[67] Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, club representatives and both players declined to comment any further on the incident and no charges were pressed.^[68]

On 18 October 2010, Carroll was charged with assault in an incident with his ex-girlfriend. Claiming self-defence, and having given a local hotel as his address, Carroll was granted bail on the condition that he resided with then Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan until the case resumed in January. The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.^[69] Two days following his bail, Carroll's car was set on fire whilst parked on Nolan's driveway, with the club captain's garage door also being daubed with obscenities.^[70] Following England's 1–1 draw with Ghana on 29 March 2011, England manager Fabio Capello told Carroll to curtail his drinking habits. This was quickly refuted by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, who stated "Well he's never bought me a drink. I've been with him at Boyzone concerts and he's still never bought me a drink!"^[71]

In an interview in April 2012, Carroll admitted that he had gained a reputation for drinking and socialising during his time at Newcastle, but that since joining Liverpool in January 2011 he had "settled down" and changed his lifestyle.^[72]

Career statistics[link]

Club[link]

As of match played 13 May 2012.^[73][74][75]

Honours[link]

Club[link]

Newcastle United

• Football League Championship: 2009–10

Liverpool

• Football League Cup: 2011–12

Individual[link]

• Jackie Milburn Trophy: 2007
• Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year: 2009–10

References[link]

External links[link]

• Andy Carroll profile at Liverpool F.C.
• Andy Carroll career stats at Soccerbase
• Profile on Andy Carroll LFCHistory.net