He was already without a club – but now Andy Carroll has experienced once again how clubs are courting him. In future he will be playing under an ex-Bayern professional.
A whole decade leaves no trace on anyone, especially not on an injury-plagued footballer like Andy Carroll (33). But England’s former international is still in demand in January 2022.
At the beginning of 2011, Carroll was still such a hot property on the cold island that Liverpool FC paid 41 million euros to Newcastle United when that was not quite a normal transfer fee. The tabloids loved the massive attacker anyway because of his various escapades off the pitch. The fact that he was loaned out to West Ham United just a year and a half later, however, alone shows that the supposed transfer coup for Liverpool wasn’t one at all.
Last time Carroll was happy to get a two-month contract
Elven years, countless injury breaks and a Newcastle return (2019) later, Carroll’s prospects have shifted: In November 2021, he was happy to be brought in by Reading FC after four months out of the club’s relegation battle in League Two, even if he was only given a two-month contract.
But because he scored twice in eight appearances and was otherwise pleasing, he experienced once again what it’s like when clubs flock to him. Instead of Liverpool, “only” West Bromwich Albion wanted him this time, but compared to Reading, that’s not only a big step up in the table.
And so Carroll blocked all attempts by his short-term employer to extend his contract, which was due to expire in mid-January, and joined the Premier League relegated side on Friday on a free transfer, currently struggling to make a quick return.
“He can help us immediately,” said coach Ismael
“Andy can help us immediately,” said his new coach, former Bremen and Munich man Valerien Ismael, who has just lost winter new signing Daryl Dike (21, Orlando) in the attacking centre with a thigh injury. “We had to replace him and we are happy to welcome Andy. He has a lot of experience.”
For now, Carroll signed on as a sub until the end of the season; that’s the reality for the former €41 million man with the timeless ponytail, but it doesn’t bother him. “When I heard about the interest, I only had one thing in mind: drive here and sign straight away,” he is quoted as saying on West Brom’s website.
“If I didn’t feel I could still contribute, I wouldn’t be playing football. Then I’d have hung up my boots and be lying on a beach somewhere. But that’s not who I am,” Carroll said: “I want to play football and score goals. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do. “
