Tony Andreu Explained

Tony Andreu
Fullname:Anthony Andreu[1]
Birth Date:22 May 1988
Birth Place:Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Monaco
Clubs1:Chênois
Years2:2009–2012
Clubs2:Stade Nyonnais
Caps2:77
Goals2:10
Years3:2012–2013
Clubs3:Livingston
Caps3:33
Goals3:7
Years4:2013–2015
Clubs4:Hamilton Academical
Caps4:58
Goals4:25
Years5:2015–2017
Clubs5:Norwich City
Caps5:6
Goals5:0
Years6:2015–2016
Clubs6:Rotherham United (loan)
Caps6:11
Goals6:2
Years7:2016–2017
Clubs7:Dundee United (loan)
Caps7:31
Goals7:13
Years8:2017–2019
Clubs8:Coventry City
Caps8:15
Goals8:1
Years9:2019
Clubs9:Hamilton Academical (loan)
Caps9:17
Goals9:1
Years10:2019–2020
Clubs10:St Mirren
Caps10:28
Goals10:2
Years11:2021
Clubs11:Ross County
Caps11:6
Goals11:0
Years12:2022
Clubs12:UE Sant Julià
Caps12:6
Goals12:1
Club-Update:14:49, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Anthony Andreu (born 22 May 1988) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.

He began his career as a youth player at Monaco, before playing in Switzerland with CS Chênois and Stade Nyonnais. He moved to Scotland in 2012, initially with Livingston, before joining Hamilton Academical. He signed for English club Norwich City in 2015 and was also loaned to Rotherham United before joining Dundee United for the 2016–17 season. He signed for Coventry City in August 2017, returning on loan to Hamilton in January 2019. In July 2019 he signed for Scottish Premier League team St Mirren.

Career

Early career

Andreu spent his early career in France and Switzerland with Monaco, Chênois and Stade Nyonnais.[2]

While playing in Switzerland, Andreu started writing poetry; he is also a fan of books, stating "I have a lot of free time. I love to read – whether it is thrillers, crime stories or more philosophical themes – and I recently bought a book about French history. I sometimes write poems and I note down details about the books I've read."[3]

Livingston

He signed for Scottish club Livingston in June 2012, alongside David Luongo.[4] It was revealed by John Hughes that the director of football John Collins signed the duo, with the help from Collins' French connections by inviting them on trial, which impressed Hughes' management.[5]

He made his debut for Livingston in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup, in a 1–0 loss against Annan Athletic.[6] Andreu scored his first goal in the closing minutes of the match as they beat Falkirk on 2 September 2013.[7] On 2 March 2013, Andreu scored twice in a 4–1 win over Airdrieonians.[8] In a BBC Scotland interview, Andreu's name was mentioned by the UEFA general secretary, David Taylor.[9]

On 2 May 2013, it was announced that he was leaving the club at the end of the 2012–13 season.[10] While at Livingston, Andreu met Julia, daughter of then director of football John Collins (who was responsible for signing him) and they entered into a relationship.[3]

Hamilton Academical

He signed a one-year contract with Hamilton Academical on 1 August 2013, having appeared for the club in the Scottish Challenge Cup a few days earlier as a trialist.[11] [12] He signed a new two-year contract with the club in March 2014.[13] In April 2014, he was nominated for the 2013–14 PFA Scotland's Player of the Year award in the Championship section, but lost out to Hemmings.[14] He was also selected to the 2013–14 Championship PFA Scotland Team of the Year, alongside Hamilton teammates Ziggy Gordon and Ali Crawford.[15]

In the last game of the season, Andreu scored a hat-trick in the first half as they thrashed Greenock Morton. However, the win wouldn't guarantee promotion after Dundee also won on the same day.[16]

He scored the winning goal in the promotion play-off semi-final against Falkirk on 18 May 2014.[17] After losing 2–0 to Hibernian in the first leg, Andreu scored a last minute goal in a 2–0 win at Easter Road to level the tie on aggregate. Hamilton won 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out (with Andreu converting the second kick) to relegate Hibernian and achieve promotion to the Premiership.[18] After the match, Andreu described playing in the Scottish Premiership in the 2014–15 season as "a dream come true" and said the club deserved to be promoted.[19]

Norwich City

He moved to English club Norwich City on 2 February 2015.[20]

Rotherham United (loan)

Andreu moved on loan to Rotherham United on 1 September 2015.[21] On 26 September, he scored his first goal for Rotherham in a 2–0 win over Birmingham City.[22] On 7 January 2016, he returned to Norwich City to fight for his place in the first team, despite Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn's wishes to extend the loan.[23]

Dundee United (loan)

He signed on loan for Dundee United in August 2016.[24] On his debut he scored the winning goal in a Scottish Challenge Cup tie against Peterhead on 3 September 2016.[25] He also scored in the 2017 Scottish Challenge Cup Final as United beat St Mirren 2-1.[26]

Coventry City

On 10 August 2017, Andreu left Norwich City by mutual consent.[27] On the same day he signed a two-year contract with Coventry City.[28] He scored his first goal for Coventry in an EFL Trophy tie against Shrewsbury Town on 29 August 2017.[29]

During Coventry's 1-0 win against Port Vale on 9 September 2017, Andreu suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament which would rule him out for the rest of the 2017–18 season.[30]

He returned to Hamilton on loan in January 2019.[31] [32]

St Mirren

On 4 July 2019 Andreu signed for St Mirren on a one-year deal after being released by Coventry City.[33] On 2 June 2020 it was announced that he would remain with the club under the coronavirus furlough scheme before leaving the club.[34]

Ross County

On 7 January 2021, Andreu signed for Scottish side Ross County on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[35] [36] [37] He was released by County on 27 May 2021 along with nine other players.[38]

UE Sant Julià

Andreu signed for UE Sant Julià in Primera Divisió in Andorra on 2 February 2022 until the end of the 2021-22 season.[39]

Playing style

Andreu's playing style has been compared to Cesc Fabregas by former Rangers defender Dave MacKinnon.[40]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stade Nyonnais2009–10Swiss Challenge League292292
2010–11212212
2011–12276276
Total77107710
Livingston2012–13Scottish First Division337103010387
Hamilton Academical2013–14Scottish Championship35131030524415
2014–15Scottish Premiership23120031002613
Total58251061527028
Norwich City2014–15Championship6000000060
2015–16Premier League0000100010
2016–17Championship0000101323
2017–180000000000
Total6000201393
Rotherham United (loan)2015–16Championship112001000122
Dundee United (loan)2016–17Scottish Championship311312001044219
Coventry City2017–18League Two5000001161
2018–19League One101000020121
Total151000031182
Hamilton Academical (loan)2018–19Scottish Premiership1711000181
2019–20Scottish Premiership2824040362
Ross County2020–21Scottish Premiership60000060
Career total2826182161201032674

Honours

Dundee United

Notes and References

  1. Web site: List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2017 and 31/08/2017 . The Football Association . PDF . 1 . 3 February 2019.
  2. Web site: Profile . Livingston F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20130224062011/http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/team_profiles/team_andreu.php . 24 February 2013 . unfit .
  3. News: Hamilton's French midfielder Tony Andreu dreams of Premiership football after adapting to life in Scotland. Daily Record. 25 May 2014. 15 June 2014.
  4. Web site: John Collins connections net French duo for Livingston. 28 June 2012. STV.
  5. News: Collins uses French contacts to recruit two new players. The Herald Scotland. 30 June 2012. 15 June 2014.
  6. News: Ramsdens Cup: Annan Athletic 1–0 Livingston. BBC Sport. 28 July 2012. 15 June 2014.
  7. News: Falkirk 1–2 Livingston. BBC Sport. 2 September 2013. 15 June 2014.
  8. News: Livingston 4–1 Airdrie Utd. BBC Sport. 2 March 2013. 15 June 2014.
  9. News: David Taylor hopes league changes can boost Scottish game. BBC Sport. 6 January 2013. 15 June 2014.
  10. Web site: Livingston captain Liam Fox tops list of players to exit Almondvale . West Lothian Courier . 2 May 2013 . 4 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140615212606/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/livingston-captain-liam-fox-tops-2535743 . 15 June 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: Andreu Signs. 1 August 2013. Hamilton Academical F.C..
  12. Web site: Accies snap up French midfielder Anthony Andreu. Andrew McGilvray. 1 August 2013. Hamilton Advertiser.
  13. Web site: Tony Andreu Re-Signs. 19 March 2014. 19 March 2014. Hamilton Academical F.C..
  14. Web site: MacDonald, Hemmings, Andreu & Loy up for PFA Scotland award. 16 April 2014. 16 April 2014. BBC Sport.
  15. News: Falkirk and Rangers dominate team of the year voting. 18 April 2014. 18 April 2014. BBC Sport.
  16. News: Hamilton Academical 10 – 2 Greenock Morton. BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. 12 May 2014.
  17. Web site: Hamilton hero Andreu will not let any speculation faze him. 19 May 2014. 19 May 2014. Kenny Crawford. BBC Sport.
  18. News: Hibernian 0 – 2 Hamilton. SPFL. 25 May 2014. 15 June 2014.
  19. News: Hamilton goal hero Tony Andreu says promotion to the Scottish Premiership is like a dream come true. Daily Record. 29 May 2014. 15 June 2014.
  20. Web site: Transfer Deadline Day: Norwich City sign Tony Andreu. 2 February 2015. 3 February 2015. BBC Sport.
  21. Web site: Lee Camp, Tony Andreu & Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe join Rotherham. 1 September 2015. 2 September 2015. BBC Sport.
  22. News: Birmingham 0–2 Rotherham. 28 September 2015. BBC Sport. 26 September 2015.
  23. Web site: Norwich City midfielders Andreu and Thompson return to Carrow Road. 7 January 2016. 7 January 2016. ITV News.
  24. Web site: Tony Andreu: Norwich City midfielder joins Dundee United on loan. 31 August 2016. BBC Sport.
  25. News: Irn Bru Cup: Dundee Utd & St Mirren reach last 16 after extra time. BBC Sport. 3 September 2016. 5 September 2016.
  26. Web site: Dundee United 2–1 St Mirren. BBC Sport. Young. Chick. 25 March 2017. 1 March 2021.
  27. News: Tony Andreu leaves City by mutual consent. 10 August 2017. 10 August 2017. Norwich City F.C..
  28. News: SIGNING: Midfielder Tony Andreu joins the Sky Blues on a two-year deal. 10 August 2017. 10 August 2017. Coventry City F.C..
  29. Web site: Coventry City 2 Shrewsbury Town 3: Match report as Sky Blues fall to defeat in Checkatrade Trophy. coventrytelegraph.net. 29 August 2017 . 30 August 2017.
  30. News: Sky Blues suffer 'horrendous' blow as play-maker ruled out for the season. Turner. Andy. 12 September 2017. Coventry Telegraph. 13 September 2017.
  31. https://www.hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk/new-signing-tony-andreu/ New Signing: Tony Andreu
  32. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46895626 Tony Andreu: Hamilton Academical sign former player on loan from Coventry City
  33. Web site: St Mirren sign Tony Andreu as midfielder is freed by Coventry City. 4 July 2019. BBC Sport.
  34. Web site: St Mirren FC Squad Update. www.stmirren.com.
  35. Web site: Andreu signs for Staggies. RCFC.
  36. Web site: Ross County sign former St Mirren midfielder Tony Andreu. Ryan. Cryle.
  37. News: County sign Andreu & Maouche. BBC Sport .
  38. Web site: squad update. Ross County F.C.. 27 May 2021. 27 May 2021.
  39. Web site: Highlights and signings. Bon Dia. 2 February 2022.
  40. Web site: Tony Andreu: Norwich signing 'similar to Cesc Fabregas'. 4 February 2015. 5 February 2015. BBC Sport.
  41. Web site: Dundee United 2–1 St Mirren. BBC Sport. Young. Chick. 25 March 2017. 1 March 2021.