Former England international Andy Carroll has expressed gratitude to the public following his decision to speak openly about being the victim of a sexual assault at his home in 2021.
The 36-year-old, who is now a player and co-owner of National League South club Dagenham, revealed on the Football Uncensored podcast that the reaction since he went public had helped ease a burden he had carried for years.
The assault took place during Carroll's second spell at Newcastle United, carried out by a man who was a friend of his former partner and who had been staying nearby at the time. That man was later convicted of sexual offences and sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2023. Carroll has since named his attacker as television dance coach Kevin Adams, who appeared on the BBC programme Fame Academy in 2002, in comments made to the Sun. Adams has not responded publicly to being identified.
According to Carroll's account, the assault occurred while he was asleep. Upon waking, he forced the man out of his home, and when the attacker attempted to re-enter, Carroll knocked him unconscious.
The striker, who built his career at Liverpool and West Ham among other clubs, first detailed the ordeal in his autobiography, 'Owning It'. He has described the process of giving evidence during the subsequent court case as deeply distressing.
"It was eating me alive inside for so long," Carroll said, reflecting on the toll the experience took on him. He admitted that some wounds may never fully heal, saying, "There's certain things you can't get over, and I'll never, ever get over that."
Despite the lasting impact, Carroll said he has found peace in how he has handled the aftermath and credited those closest to him for helping him through it. "I'm happy with who I am, I'm happy with how I've dealt with it, and I've got the support around me with my partner, my family and friends, and now the public," he said.
Carroll also reflected on the importance of speaking out sooner, suggesting that addressing the trauma publicly years earlier might have aided his recovery. "I've been beating myself up about it, and as soon as I've said it the support that I've received has been massive," he explained. "And I think that's the main thing really for me, that if I said that five years ago when it happened, maybe I would have felt a lot better now and then got over it."
The former striker said he now feels that people understand the context of what he endured during that period of his life, and that recognition has played a key role in his healing process. "Now I know that people can see who I was then, in that time, and what I've been through and they help me and support me," he added.
Carroll's decision to speak publicly adds his voice to a growing number of high-profile figures in football and beyond who have chosen to share personal experiences of sexual violence, often in the hope of encouraging others to seek support.
Anyone affected by issues of sexual abuse or violence can access help and support resources, including through the BBC Action Line.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.