Andy Carroll will wear the No.2 shirt at Reading after his kids picked the jersey to celebrate his daughter's second birthday.
Carroll, 33, re-joined Reading on a four-month deal on Thursday. The former England international was without a club after his West Brom contract expired in June. He spent the first half of last season on loan at Reading, scoring two goals in eight league games.
Strikers don't usually wear the No.2 shirt, yet Carroll decided to take the jersey after his kids asked him to do so. The heartwarming decision came after Championship side Reading asked the veteran forward if he wanted the No.2, No.20, No.26 or No.27.
"Can I let you know in an hour?" Carroll asked Reading. "Kids are at school, they can pick when I go and get them. They will love that!"
He then confirmed his chosen jersey, to which Reading asked: "Two? Are you sure?"
Carroll replied: "That's what they picked. It's my daughter's second birthday today, so they picked that. They're the ones in charge!"
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Carroll is married to The Only Way Is Essex star Billi Mucklow and has five kids. He is best known for spending more than a decade of his career in the Premier League, representing Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham before dropping into the Championship.
"I’m glad to be back here, it’s a great feeling," said Carroll on re-joining Reading. "Discussions started with the club six weeks ago so I have been just keeping myself fit and waiting to be ready to come in and train and hopefully sign the contract and I’ve done that now.
"I had been on the phone to the manager [Paul Ince] a couple of times, and he wanted me in the building a little earlier than this but I wanted to make sure I was fully fit and ready to go and be able to come straight in and be on the pitch. So I came in on Monday and have been here training since then and I feel great."
Carroll added: "I loved it the first time and I love walking back into the building and driving down here, it’s a brilliant place. Half the lads are still here and all the staff behind the scenes, it is a brilliant place to be, and I am delighted to sign back here.
"I made some great memories at the stadium and the training ground, celebrations, disallowed goals, I had a lot going on really. I worked hard and gave everything I had, like I will this time, the fans were absolutely fantastic with me, and the lads were brilliant."
Reading boss Paul Ince said: "I am really pleased to have Andy with us. Of course, a striker of his prowess gives us power and a battling presence at the top of the pitch and I’m sure that will translate into goals. However, Andy’s arrival also offers us another strong voice in the dressing room. He is a leader, both on and off the pitch."
