Andy Carroll
Former England striker Andy Carroll has revealed he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021 while playing for Newcastle United.
The 37-year-old made the revelation in his autobiography, released on Thursday, saying the attacker was later convicted of sexual offences and sentenced to three years in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Carroll said the incident happened at his home during his second spell with Newcastle. A friend of his former partner, who was away at the time, had visited to watch a boxing match and was due to stay overnight.
According to Carroll, the man sexually assaulted him while he was sleeping. He then threw him out of the house before knocking him unconscious when he attempted to return. Carroll called the police and said he was left “sobbing” in the arms of his children’s nanny.
The former Liverpool and West Ham striker testified in court, describing the experience as “humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous”.
Carroll said he only decided to include the incident in his autobiography after lengthy discussions with his girlfriend Lou Teasdale.
“What happened to me affected every facet of my life,” Carroll wrote. “The trauma of what happened to me hasn’t gone away.”
Carroll, who won nine England caps, said he hopes speaking publicly about his experience can help others who have experienced sexual assault.
He joined Dagenham & Redbridge in July 2025, where he is now a player and co-owner, and has made six appearances in the National League South this season.