Andy Carroll reveals he was sexually assaulted in a 'traumatic' attack a few years ago

Footballer Andy Carroll has made the bombshell admission that he was sexually assaulted 'a few years ago'.In a deeply candid passage in his new book, Owning It, the striker, 37, has told how he went through the 'traumatic' assault, which he has been unable to forget.Andy, who played for England between 2010-2012, said he only decided to detail the incident 'at the last minute' following lengthy discussions with his publisher.After speaking with girlfriend Lou Teasdale, 42, he decided speaking publicly about being assaulted would be 'worth it' if it helped others.'Other things I'd quite like to forget but can't, something happened to me a few years ago that was so traumatic I only decided to include it in this book at the very last minute,' he said in the book.'I was sexually assaulted, there I said it. Scary to even think about and only a few people knew about it before now. Andy Carroll has revealed he was sexually assaulted in a 'traumatic' attack a few years ago in his new book Owning It Andy, who played for England between 2010-2012, said he only decided to detail the incident 'at the last minute' following lengthy discussions with his publisher'Me and Lou spent a lot of time discussing whether to mention it in this book or not. I avoided my publisher for so long that they probably suspected I got cold feet.'Scary to talk about but it's made 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.'The ex-Newcastle and Liverpool striker, who now plays for National League South club Dagenham & Redbridge and serves as assistant manager, goes on to talk about his relationship with Lou.The on-and-off couple, who appear to currently be on, have broken up many times due to alcohol, according to sources.Andy had reportedly vowed to cut down on alcohol in a bid to save his relationship with Lou, as he confirmed the pair were trying 'to work through their difficulties'.'Lou couldn't believe how normal I was when she first met me,' he wrote.'I'm not saying I could have had a career like Harry Kane but he is a great example of what kind of career you can have when you live a clean and disciplined life.'Don't drink alcohol, eat the right things and spend hours each week in the gym and recover properly.'Contrast, I wanted to live an everyday life. Go out at weekends with friends and go on holiday with friends in the international break.'Go to music festivals and have a few too many drinks and a kebab now and again. Make mistakes without appearing in the papers.'You could argue trying to live a normal life is incompatible with being a majorly successful sports person.'But there is no point spending the rest of my days wishing I had a different mindset. I'm sure I've had more fun than your average player.''I tell young players, if you want to party all the time, go for it. But you won't be as successful in football as you could be but you're an adult, it's up to you.'He added: 'Strip clubs are very much part of football culture and only when I grew up did I realise how wrong it was to sit around ogling over naked women.'It's incredibly disrespectful and not who I am. But as a young teenager in Belarus I was excited as anyone.'Reflecting on how his huge salary rise affected his behaviour, he added: 'Before my weekly wage jumped to £200,000 a week, I was quite sensible. Andy had reportedly vowed to cut down on alcohol in a bid to save his relationship with Lou Teasdale (pictured), as he confirmed the pair were trying 'to work through their difficulties''But soon enough I was spending time in bars, strip joints and casinos. If everyone wanted a tray of shots, I'd buy a tray of shots.'And while alcohol didn't turn me into some violent loon, a well known footballer spending time in local establishments was bound to attract trouble.'The ex-Premier League footballer recently pleaded not guilty to breaching a non-molestation order after being accused of repeatedly calling his reality TV star ex-wife Billi Mucklow.Andy has formally entered a plea of not guilty to the charge and is due to stand trial next January.Andy and TOWIE star Billi, 37, were together for 11 years but confirmed their split in September 2024 after secretly separating earlier in the year.Billi and Andy got engaged in 2014 before marrying in 2022 and share three children. Billi also cares for Andy's two other children who he had from a previous relationship.