EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Andy Carroll Opens Up About His New Life in France’s Second Division

In the quaint town of Amiens, nestled in northern France, the clock is inching towards midnight, and Andy Carroll takes aim at a dartboard. “I’m going for 180,” he says, stretching his long limbs toward the target, but he falls short. The price of missing? A tray of drinks.

This is the world of the former English football star, now donning the number 99 jersey, playing in the French second division, 75 miles north of Paris. How he ended up here is a story worth telling, one of the many reasons we found ourselves staying overnight at his apartment, listening to him share his tale.

Moving into the former house of rock legend Rod Stewart, squandering cash on a Bengal cat, facing false allegations of drug use, savoring full roast pre-match dinners during his time at Newcastle, and a high-profile transfer to Liverpool that left him wondering – these are just some of the facets of Andy Carroll’s fascinating journey.

Now, playing as a free transfer signing at the Stade de la Licorne, or the ‘Unicorn Stadium,’ with its modest 12,000-person capacity, Carroll, who’s still only 34, feels it’s time to reveal more about his eventful life.

In his distinctive Geordie accent, he explains his decision to play abroad: “I was at Newcastle from seven years old. I made my debut at 17. I just thought, ‘You know what, if I don’t go abroad now, then I’ll never go.’ I wanted a challenge in a completely different country, a fresh start.”

The move to France’s second division presented the change he sought, offering a life of normalcy away from the celebrity limelight. Carroll emphasizes his newfound sense of ‘normalcy’ as a highlight of life in Amiens. Here, he can take his kids to the zoo or enjoy a quiet evening at a local pub without the pressures of fame.

In contrast to the earlier days when football was just a beloved pastime, with joy-filled headers in their council house garden in Gateshead, Carroll reflects on his humble beginnings. “There’s a picture at home of me just born, first day in the house, lying there as a one-day-old baby with a bottle of Brown Ale on one side and a football on the other,” he shares, revealing the imprint of his father’s influence.

However, the transition from a child playing with a ball in the garden to becoming the most expensive British transfer in history was not without challenges. The fast flow of money into his bank account, splurging on extravagant purchases, including a costly Bengal cat, exposed the immaturity that often accompanies sudden wealth.

“I wasted money on stupid things. I’d go to Harrods in London and spend five grand on rubbish, with nothing to show for it,” Carroll admits. “In the dressing room, everyone’s walking around with Lamborghinis or designer clothes. I’ve got money, and I’m thinking, ‘They’re doing it… I’ll do it as well.’”

When Liverpool came calling in 2011, it marked a dramatic shift for Carroll. He recalls the shock and chaos surrounding his departure from Newcastle and the whirlwind of a record-breaking £35 million transfer, which left him without even having lived in his dream house.

Carroll’s lifestyle underwent a complete transformation at Liverpool, shifting from pre-match roast dinners at a local pub to refined dietary routines and a new level of professionalism. The high expectations and media attention that came with playing at Liverpool made him keenly aware of the change.

The burden of fame and paparazzi scrutiny that followed was challenging. As a result, Carroll began to shy away from the public eye, always wearing hats to maintain a degree of anonymity in public. Carroll’s openness about these challenges and their impact on his life highlights the struggles behind the public image of a football star.

Now, playing in the French second division, Carroll remains content. He has found a sense of normalcy in Amiens, where he can simply be himself, free from the constant pressures of fame. “You could throw anything at me now, and I feel safe in myself. I’m comfortable. Here I can walk into the bakery and get a pain au chocolat, and no one’s saying, ‘How was the game? Can I get a picture?’ Here I feel like I’m normal. I just wanted to get out. Be free. Be me.”

This exclusive interview with Andy Carroll offers a glimpse into the life of a footballer who has experienced the highs and lows of fame, ultimately finding contentment in a quiet corner of France.