Former Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll has disclosed that he was sexually assaulted in 2021 by a man he had invited to stay at his home. Carroll revealed the incident in his new autobiography, "Owning It," describing the experience as traumatic and life-altering.

Carroll, 37, who currently plays for and co-owns non-league club Dagenham and Redbridge, said the assault occurred while he was sleeping. The perpetrator, a friend of Carroll’s former partner, was later convicted of sexual offences, sentenced to three years in prison, and placed on the sex offender register. Carroll was granted automatic legal anonymity as a victim of sexual assault.

In his book, Carroll recounted how he ejected the man from his home after the assault and knocked him unconscious when the man tried to re-enter. Carroll wrote that only a few people knew about the incident before the publication of his autobiography, and that including the account had been a difficult decision. He discussed the matter extensively with his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale, before choosing to share the experience publicly.

Testifying during the legal proceedings was described by Carroll as humiliating, embarrassing, and harrowing. He said the ordeal deeply affected every aspect of his life, making it difficult to concentrate on football and other daily activities. Carroll admitted that the trauma from the assault remains with him.

The former forward, who earned nine caps for England during his career and played for clubs including Newcastle United and West Ham United, expressed hope that his openness might help others who have faced similar experiences. "If me talking about it helps just one person then good, it will have been worth it," he wrote.

Carroll’s disclosure has drawn attention to the challenges faced by survivors of sexual violence, as well as the stigma that often accompanies speaking out. His decision to reveal the assault in a high-profile autobiography is part of a broader movement encouraging victims to break silence and seek justice.