Andy Carroll Reveals He Was Sexually Assaulted in 2021

Former England forward Andy Carroll has revealed in his autobiography that he was sexually assaulted by a man in 2021, with new details emerging about his current role at Dagenham & Redbridge and the circumstances of the incident. The 37-year-old, who was automatically granted anonymity as a victim of sexual assault, disclosed the trauma in his book, *Owning It*, released on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The attack occurred at his home during his second spell with Newcastle United, leading to the perpetrator’s conviction and a three-year prison sentence.

Carroll, now a player/co-owner of non-league club Dagenham & Redbridge, decided to include the account of the assault in his book at the very last minute. He avoided his publisher for so long that they suspected he had gotten cold feet. The incident, which took place after a Newcastle United match, involved an unnamed male acquaintance of his former partner, who had invited himself over to watch a boxing match. Carroll described the attacker as someone he had always felt uneasy about, having previously received unsolicited text messages from him.

The assault occurred while Carroll was sleeping. The perpetrator attempted to perform oral sex on him, prompting Carroll to throw him out of the house. When the attacker tried to re-enter, Carroll struck him unconscious and called the police, breaking down in the arms of his children’s nanny. The attacker, who denied the allegations, was found guilty of sexual offences and placed on the sex offender register. Carroll testified in court, describing the process as “humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous.”

Carroll’s current role at Dagenham & Redbridge has evolved since his previous position as assistant manager. He joined the club in July 2025 and has made six appearances in the National League South this season. The forward, who also played for Liverpool, West Ham, Reading, West Bromwich Albion, and French sides Amiens and Bordeaux, emphasized that the trauma of the assault has affected every facet of his life. “What happened to me affected every facet of my life. I’d think about it every day, making it difficult to focus on anything else, including football… The trauma of what happened to me hasn’t gone away,” he wrote.

Carroll’s partner, Lou Teasdale, was central to his decision to share the story. “Me and Lou spent a lot of time discussing whether to mention it in this book or not,” he said. “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.”

Support lines for survivors of sexual abuse are highlighted in reporting outlets, with Carroll expressing hope that his disclosure would offer comfort to others. The case has reignited conversations about the availability of support systems for victims, particularly in the context of high-profile individuals coming forward.

Carroll, who won nine England caps, continues to navigate the aftermath of the assault while balancing his career. His autobiography, *Owning It*, serves as both a personal reckoning and a call for awareness, reflecting his journey through adversity.

Update note: New information from The Guardian clarifies Carroll’s current role at Dagenham & Redbridge as player/co-owner, expanding on the original report of his position as player/assistant manager. Additional details about the attacker’s relationship to his former partner have been integrated.