EFL Championship side Reading FC announced the short-term signing of former England international striker Andy Carroll. The former big hope of English football was a free agent since the end of last season when his second spell with boyhood club Newcastle United.🗣 “I just want to get back playing football!”Hear from our new arrival, Andy Carroll, as he settled in at Bearwood! 👇#WelcomeAndy | #Royals150 pic.twitter.com/20MKtbdagR— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) November 15, 2021 The Royals needed a striker to help them overcome their injury crisis and they offered Carroll a short-term deal until mid-January. If the veteran proves his fitness – his deal could be extended until the end of the current season. Veljko Paunovic, Carroll’s new boss is delighted with the signing.”Andy is looking for a new challenge in his career and we need a player with his quality and vast experience! So, this is a great match and I’m really looking forward to working with Andy over the next couple of months.”Carroll with Reading manager Veljko Paunovic (©Reading FC)The 32-year-old striker has had some big-money transfers in his day. Ten years ago, Liverpool splashed $45 million to snatch him away from the Magpies after he’d shown a lot of promise and scored many goals for the black and whites. It didn’t work out and he was offloaded to West Ham United just 18 months later, initially on loan. The Hammers paid more than $20 million to secure the strong target man. But injuries have ravaged Andy’s career and he returned to Newcastle as a free agent in 2019. He was only used as a backup and it came as no surprise when he left St. James’ Park for the second time at the end of 2020/21 campaign.Saturday, 18.00: (2.85) Reading (3.10) Nott.Forest (2.60)Internationally, Carroll represented the Three Lions at youth level before breaking into the senior side to make his England debut against France in a friendly in November 2010. He has scored twice for his country – his first in a friendly against Ghana before finding the net for Roy Hodgson’s men in a 3-2 win over Sweden at Euro 2012. These days, he’s looking to upcoming clashes with Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Hull City and the likes.Andy Carroll 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DjsW8tgN5V— Coinbar (@coinbartr) November 13, 2021 Andy’s got another gig – far away from the bright lights of Premier League. We haven’t seen the last of his trademark ponytail and towering headers.
