Andy Carroll Reveals Sexual Assault in Autobiography
The former England striker detailed the 2021 incident in his newly released book, stating the perpetrator was jailed for three years.
Former England striker Andy Carroll has disclosed that he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021. The 37-year-old revealed the details in his autobiography, which was released on Thursday, stating that the assailant has since been imprisoned for three years.
The incident occurred at Carroll's home during his second stint with his hometown club, Newcastle. Carroll, who is now a player/co-owner of non-league club Dagenham & Redbridge, explained that he decided to include the event in his book at the last minute after consulting with his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale.
According to Carroll, a friend of his former partner, who was away at the time, was staying over after visiting his home to watch a boxing match. The assault took place while Carroll was asleep. He stated that he expelled the man from the house and subsequently knocked him unconscious when he attempted to return.
Carroll, who also played for Liverpool and West Ham United in the Premier League, contacted the police and described being in distress with his children's nanny present. The attacker, whose identity has not been released, was convicted of sexual offenses and placed on the sex offender register. Carroll testified in court, a process he characterized as "humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous."
"I was sexually assaulted, there I said it. Scary to even think about and only a few people knew about it before now," Carroll wrote in his book. "Me and Lou spent a lot of time discussing whether to mention it in this book or not. I avoided my publisher for so long that they probably suspected I got cold feet."
He added, "Scary to talk about but it's made [me] the person I am today as much as any of the good stuff. And if me talking about it helps just one person then good, it will have been worth it." The trauma of the event significantly impacted his life and ability to focus, even on football.
Carroll earned nine caps for England and joined Dagenham & Redbridge in July 2025, making six appearances in the National League South this season.