Reading announced Andy Carroll's return and surprised everyone by handing the striker the No 2 shirt... before releasing the WhatsApp messages revealing it was the 33-year-old's children that chose his unconventional number!
- Andy Carroll has rejoined Reading after leaving West Brom in the summer
- Fans were stunned when it was announced that Carroll has taken the No 2 shirt
- Mocked up WhatsApp messages reveal how his children chose his number
- Carroll returns to Reading having had an eight-game stint with the club last term
Reading have released a mocked up WhatsApp conversation with new signing Andy Carroll which reveals it was the striker's children that chose his unconventional shirt number.
The former Newcastle and Liverpool forward joined the Royals on a short-term deal until January having turned down offers from around the world.
However, social media was aghast after it was revealed that Carroll, 33, would wear the No 2 shirt in Berkshire this season.
Andy Carroll has rejoined Reading but has not been able to take the No 9 shirt again
He wore No 9 in his two-month spell with Reading last term, the number he also donned for Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham. He also wore 8 for the Hammers, 15 at West Brom and 39, 24 and 7 for the Magpies.
In a video released on Friday, the Championship club revealed the extent of the conversations that saw the forward take the No 2 shirt for the next few months at least.
'Andy, we need a squad number for you,' Reading wrote Carroll in a mocked up version of the conversation. 'Lucas [Joao] has No 9 this year, sorry. Two, 20, 26, 27 - let me known quickly otherwise Amadou [Mbengue] will beat you to it!'
The forward, who scored two goals in eight games for the club last season, replied: 'Can I let you know in an hour? Kids are at school, they can pick when I go and get them. They will love that.'
Reading mocked up WhatsApp messages between Carroll, 33, and his new club
The former England forward was revealed to have sweetly asked his children to choose for him
Carroll returns to Reading after scoring two goals in his eight-game stint at the club last term
'Sure no problem,' Reading wrote.
Carroll is then said to have come back: 'CARROLL 2'.
Questioning the forward's decision just as much as most online, Reading replied: 'Two? Are you sure?'
'It's my daughter's 2nd birthday today so they picked that,' he wrote.
The former England international caused uproar across social media when it was revealed he would be wearing the number most commonly associated with right-backs.
'Andy Carroll signing for Reading and wearing the number 2 shirt is gonna keep us awake all night tonight. Cheers,' one account wrote.
Another wrote: 'Andy Carroll taking the No. 2 for reading should be a crime.'
'Now I've had some time to think about it, I'm even more annoyed about Andy Carroll taking number 2, it's horrific,' another supporter noted.
Carroll arrives at Paul Ince's Reading with the side flying high in the Championship, as they sit fourth after nine games with 15 points on the board.
However, the club are coming off the back of a chastening 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland earlier this week.
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