10 Shocking Newcastle United Departures That No One Saw Coming

9. Andy Carroll (Sold To Liverpool In January 2011)

In October 2010, Andy Carroll signed a brand new five-year contract that would keep him at Newcastle until 2015. Three months later and the 'next Alan Shearer', who had been given the coveted number nine shirt for the 2010-11 season, had signed for Liverpool. The striker had scored 31 goals in 80 appearances for the Magpies and it was refreshing to see a Tyneside-born striker establishing himself as a fine young forward. The Reds made a staggering £35 million deadline day bid for Carroll in January 2011 and without any warning whatsoever the 6'4" striker was off to Merseyside for his medical. The striker insisted he was forced out of Newcastle, but United claimed he had handed in a transfer request after they turned down Liverpool's initial £30million bid. The striker was largely underwhelming for Liverpool scoring six goals in 44 games before moving to West Ham United for £15 million.