Former England international Andy Carroll scored a stunning 40-yard effort for French side Amiens SC in their 1-1 draw with Annecy.

Carroll has quickly settled in northern France and recently spoke exclusively to Mail Sport about his new life.

The Geordie striker had a respectable career in England, most notably plying his trade for boyhood clubs Newcastle United and Liverpool.

The 34-year-old recently spoke about his struggles after a £35m move to Merseyside from the Magpies.

However, Carroll is by no means struggling at Amiens, scoring a spectacular second goal in as many games.

The former England striker pounced on a loose ball just outside the center circle before letting fly a high, looping effort that beat Annecy goalkeeper Florian Escales.

Carroll opened his Ligue 2 account in the previous game with a goal in Amiens' 4-1 loss to high-flying Angers, who currently sit second in the table.

Back-to-back efforts, something Carroll hasn't done since December 2022 when playing for Reading, saw the striker celebrate ecstatically in front of the Amiens fans, showing off his unusual shirt number 99.

Now with two goals in his first eight appearances, Carroll will be looking to capitalise on his good form and move Amiens up from 10th in the league.

Speaking about his move before the game Carroll said: 'Here, I can take my children to the zoo and they don't have to say, 'Come on dad!' while people ask for photos or autographs.

'In Amiens, I can walk into a bakery and buy a pain au chocolat without anyone saying 'How was the match? Can I have a photo?'

'I feel like I'm normal, I just wanted to go out and be free, be me.'