Andy Carroll has lost none of his class. SC Amiens’ flagship recruit this summer, the English striker scored a splendid goal this Saturday, during the 11th day of Ligue 2 on the Annecy pitch (1-1). The 34-year-old allowed his team to equalize with a very inspired lob from 40 meters, with his left foot, beating the Savoyard goalkeeper Florian Escales who was too advanced. Author of two goals in seven league matches, Carroll is enjoying his new life in France, peaceful and far from the spotlight of England. He who was transferred in 2011 for more than 40 million euros to Liverpool to become, at the time, the most expensive English player in history.
In an interview with the Daily Mail this week, the Amiens striker recounted his daily life in Picardy. “Here, I can take my children to the zoo and they don’t say to me ‘come dad’ while people ask for photos or autographs,” he confided, happy to regain a semblance of anonymity. “In Amiens, I can walk into a bakery and buy a pain au chocolat without anyone saying to me, ‘How was the match? Can I have a photo’. I feel like I’m normal. I just wanted to go out and be free, be me.”
For his first experience abroad, Carroll feels at home in the north of France and does not regret his choice, which surprised more than one. “I immediately fell in love with it, the city is fantastic. The stadium and the facilities are also excellent,” detailed the former England international to the Ligue 2 website. “I just felt that this club could become my home for the next few years. The moment I got here, that’s exactly how I felt.”
Full of confidence, number 99 from Amiens scored one of the goals of the season this weekend in Annecy. A brilliant inspiration which could force him to sign a few autographs when he goes to buy his bread this Sunday, who knows.
