Andy Carroll’s bizarre French transfer offers extra Newcastle United interest as details become clear

Toby Bryant
By Toby Bryant
Published 4th Sep 2023, 18:15 BST
Updated 5th Sep 2023, 09:24 BST
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Amiens have developed a penchant for former Magpies strikers as Andy Carroll signs to fill the spot left by Papiss Cisse.

It's been quite the 12 months for former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll, who completed a Deadline Day move to Ligue 2 side Amiens having endured relegation to League One with Reading last season.

The big Geordie still had a year left on his deal with the Berkshire club and had featured in the Royals' opening two third division fixtures but secured an exit to the French second tier with just hours left on the transfer clock. Carroll's transfer was one of the summer window's most random with many surprised to see such a big name move to a club that finished 12th in Ligue 2 last season.

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The move became even more head-turning for Magpies supporters as fans online worked out who Amiens boss Omar Daf signed the Gateshead-born talisman to replace - none other than fellow Newcastle United hero Papiss Cisse.

The 38-year-old, who enjoyed some incredible moments in black-and-white, spent last season at Amiens where he enjoyed a successful spell, scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances for the club. Cisse then left the side this summer and is now a free agent.

The French side will hope Carroll provides the goals that Cisse did last year and the former Liverpool star has certainly hit the ground running. The 34-year-old came off the bench against Guingamp in the 66th minute on Saturday, the day after completing his transfer, with the score at 1-1. Carroll didn't net himself but proved a focal point for the team who managed to finish the match 4-1 victors.

Papiss Cisse enjoyed a successful spell at the club last term (Image: Getty Images)Papiss Cisse enjoyed a successful spell at the club last term (Image: Getty Images)
Papiss Cisse enjoyed a successful spell at the club last term (Image: Getty Images)

The new Amiens striker and Cisse never overlapped with time at St James' Park with the Senegalese international signed just 12 months after Carroll made his big-money move to Merseyside.

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Newcastle United fans joked that the transfer was a 'throwback' to see the two former Magpies mentioned together. Meanwhile, another joked that Demba Ba would be next on Amiens' shopping list.

One fan added: "Shame that Amiens didn't sign Carroll to partner Cisse and really go for an #nufc of different eras pairing."

Related topics:Andy CarrollLeague OneReadingRoyals

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