[ad_pod ]
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Newcastle have officially announced the signing of free agent Andy Carroll.
What’s the story?
The Magpies confirmed the return of the giant Geordie on Thursday afternoon, accompanying the announcement with the message “Carroll Comes Home”.
“It feels very good. My friends and family are here, and it’s the club that I support – it is home,” the 30 year-old has said.
He has signed an initial one-year deal, with the club exercising caution around a player who has suffered through a ridiculously long list of injuries.
As he was a free agent, the club will not pay a transfer fee, taking their net spend for the summer window to around £30m.
Verdict
It’s no surprise to see Carroll is ecstatic to be back on Tyneside, where the 6 foot 4 striker made his name in professional football.
He scored 33 times and added 21 assists in 90 appearances during his first spell as a Magpie, and while Joelinton’s position as the club’s record signing surely nails him on as a starter, Carroll is an excellent plan B.
The former England international is an absolute handful for defenders when he is fully fit, sitting fourth all-time in the contest for most headed goals in the Premier League, behind only Peter Crouch, Olivier Giroud and Christian Benteke.
[ad_pod ]
With Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin, two wingers with electric speed, both arriving at St. James’ Park this year, one doesn’t have to think too long about what Steve Bruce’s plan for the striker will be.
Any time the Magpies are in need of a goal you can count on Carroll coming on and making a nuisance of himself, averaging a whopping 6.2 aerial wins per game in various competitions throughout his career.
And after aerial threat Salomon Rondon departed the club this summer, the capture of another player with the ability to match centre-backs in the air was an absolute necessity. Mark this one down as a big win for the Magpies’ transfer team.
[ad_pod ]