Andy Carroll has re-signed for Newcastle United, eight-and-a-half-years after leaving the Geordies.
It's official. Andy Carroll has rejoined his boyhood club nearly a decade after departing St. James' Park.
Carroll departed West Ham United in the summer and had been linked with a return to the northeast.
The 30-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year contract and becomes Newcastle's new manager Steve Bruce's latest signing.
Newcastle have taken to Twitter to announce the news.
We're delighted to confirm that Andy Carroll has returned to Newcastle United and signed an initial one-year deal with the club.
More: https://t.co/o2xGV7H8iv #NUFC pic.twitter.com/yYLWjTraU4— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 8, 2019
They have also posted this video to coincide with the announcement.
⚫️⚪️ #CarrollComesHome pic.twitter.com/tgUVWnAYK1
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 8, 2019
Meanwhile, the man himself has rejoiced in the news on his own Twitter account, commenting "I'm Coming Home!!" and posting an accompanying video.
I’m Coming Home!! pic.twitter.com/aEwYeDO9ti
— Andy Carroll (@AndyTCarroll) August 8, 2019
The England international famously left Newcastle on Deadline Day in January 2011 to complete a £35 million move to Liverpool; the same day that Luis Suarez signed.
However, it never truly worked for Carroll at Anfield and he moved on to West Ham on a permanent transfer in 2013, having spent the previous season on loan with the Hammers.
After seven injury-ridden years in the capital, Carroll has finally returned to where it all began, where he burst on to the scene with Newcastle and scored 33 goals in the process.
Commenting on the move, manager Steve Bruce said:
"To bring a local hero like Andy back to Newcastle United is fantastic. He is very excited to be home.
"He is a big, physical threat in the opposition box and another great option for us at the top of the pitch".
Club legend Alan Shearer summed up the mood by retweeting Carroll's tweet, saying: "Welcome back in the Toon big man. Good luck 👍🏻"
Welcome back in the Toon big man. Good luck 👍🏻 https://t.co/ix2RloyR2D
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) August 8, 2019
Talking about the transfer on nufc.co.uk, Carroll said:
“It feels very good. My friends and family are here, and it’s the club that I support – it is home,” said Carroll.
“I enjoyed the time I spent here, and hopefully I can carry on where I left off. When I left eight-and-a-half years ago, I was scoring goals and I was enjoying my football.
It’s been a pretty tough time since then, and I just want to get back to that. “I know it’s home.
I’ve played here, I’ve spoken to the fans – I am a fan – and my family is here. For me to get back to where I was, I think this is the only place for me.”
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