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

Tony Andreu
Personal information
Full name Anthony Andreu[1]
Date of birth (1988-05-22) 22 May 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Cagnes-sur-Mer, France
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Monaco
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Chênois
2009–2012 Stade Nyonnais 77 (10)
2012–2013 Livingston 33 (7)
2013–2015 Hamilton Academical 58 (25)
2015–2017 Norwich City 6 (0)
2015–2016Rotherham United (loan) 11 (2)
2016–2017Dundee United (loan) 31 (13)
2017–2019 Coventry City 15 (1)
2019Hamilton Academical (loan) 17 (1)
2019–2020 St Mirren 28 (2)
2021 Ross County 6 (0)
2022 UE Sant Julià 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:49, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

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

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Early career

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Andreu spent his early career in France and Switzerland with Monaco, Chênois and Stade Nyonnais.[2][3]

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."[4]

Livingston

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He signed for Scottish club Livingston in June 2012, alongside David Luongo.[5] 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.[6]

He made his debut for Livingston in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup, in a 1–0 loss against Annan Athletic.[7] Andreu scored his first goal in the closing minutes of the match as they beat Falkirk on 2 September 2013.[8] On 2 March 2013, Andreu scored twice in a 4–1 win over Airdrieonians.[9] In a BBC Scotland interview, Andreu's name was mentioned by the UEFA general secretary, David Taylor.[10]

On 2 May 2013, it was announced that he was leaving the club at the end of the 2012–13 season.[11] 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.[4]

Hamilton Academical

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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.[12][13] He signed a new two-year contract with the club in March 2014.[14] 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.[15] He was also selected to the 2013–14 Championship PFA Scotland Team of the Year, alongside Hamilton teammates Ziggy Gordon and Ali Crawford.[16]

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.[17]

He scored the winning goal in the promotion play-off semi-final against Falkirk on 18 May 2014.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20]

Norwich City

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He moved to English club Norwich City on 2 February 2015 reuniting with his former Hamilton manager Alex Neil.[21]

Rotherham United (loan)

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Andreu moved on loan to Rotherham United on 1 September 2015.[22] On 26 September, he scored his first goal for Rotherham in a 2–0 win over Birmingham City.[23] 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.[24]

Dundee United (loan)

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He signed on loan for Dundee United in August 2016.[25] On his debut he scored the winning goal in a Scottish Challenge Cup tie against Peterhead on 3 September 2016.[26] He also scored in the 2017 Scottish Challenge Cup Final as United beat St Mirren 2-1.[27]

Coventry City

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On 10 August 2017, Andreu left Norwich City by mutual consent.[28] On the same day he signed a two-year contract with Coventry City.[29] He scored his first goal for Coventry in an EFL Trophy tie against Shrewsbury Town on 29 August 2017.[30]

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.[31]

He returned to Hamilton on loan in January 2019.[32][33]

St Mirren

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On 4 July 2019 Andreu signed for St Mirren on a one-year deal after being released by Coventry City.[34] On 2 June 2020 it was announced that he would remain with the club under the coronavirus furlough scheme before leaving the club.[35]

Ross County

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On 7 January 2021, Andreu signed for Scottish side Ross County on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[36][37][38] He was released by County on 27 May 2021 along with nine other players.[39]

UE Sant Julià

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Andreu signed for UE Sant Julià in Primera Divisió in Andorra on 2 February 2022 until the end of the 2021-22 season.[40]

Playing style

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Andreu's playing style has been compared to Cesc Fabregas by former Rangers defender Dave MacKinnon.[41]

Career statistics

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As of match played 27 February 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stade Nyonnais 2009–10[3] Swiss Challenge League 29 2 29 2
2010–11[3] 21 2 21 2
2011–12[3] 27 6 27 6
Total 77 10 77 10
Livingston 2012–13[42] Scottish First Division 33 7 1 0 3 0 1[a] 0 38 7
Hamilton Academical 2013–14[43] Scottish Championship 35 13 1 0 3 0 5[b] 2 44 15
2014–15[44] Scottish Premiership 23 12 0 0 3 1 0 0 26 13
Total 58 25 1 0 6 1 5 2 70 28
Norwich City 2014–15[44] Championship 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2015–16[45] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2016–17[46] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 1[c] 3 2 3
2017–18[47] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 6 0 0 0 2 0 1 3 9 3
Rotherham United (loan) 2015–16[45] Championship 11 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 2
Dundee United (loan) 2016–17[46] Scottish Championship 31 13 1 2 0 0 10[d] 4 42 19
Coventry City 2017–18[47] League Two 5 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 1 6 1
2018–19[48] League One 10 1 0 0 0 0 2[c] 0 12 1
Total 15 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 18 2
Hamilton Academical (loan) 2018–19[48] Scottish Premiership 17 1 1 0 0 0 18 1
St Mirren 2019–20[49] Scottish Premiership 28 2 4 0 4 0 36 2
Ross County 2020–21[50] Scottish Premiership 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Career total 282 61 8 2 16 1 20 10 326 74
  1. ^ Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
  2. ^ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four in the play-offs.
  3. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy.
  4. ^ Four appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and six in the play-offs.

Honours

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Dundee United

References

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  1. ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2017 and 31/08/2017" (PDF). The Football Association. p. 1. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Profile". Livingston F.C. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ a b c d Tony Andreu at Soccerway
  4. ^ a b "Hamilton's French midfielder Tony Andreu dreams of Premiership football after adapting to life in Scotland". Daily Record. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  5. ^ "John Collins connections net French duo for Livingston". STV. 28 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Collins uses French contacts to recruit two new players". The Herald Scotland. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Ramsdens Cup: Annan Athletic 1–0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Falkirk 1–2 Livingston". BBC Sport. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Livingston 4–1 Airdrie Utd". BBC Sport. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  10. ^ "David Taylor hopes league changes can boost Scottish game". BBC Sport. 6 January 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Livingston captain Liam Fox tops list of players to exit Almondvale". West Lothian Courier. 2 May 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Andreu Signs". Hamilton Academical F.C. 1 August 2013.
  13. ^ Andrew McGilvray (1 August 2013). "Accies snap up French midfielder Anthony Andreu". Hamilton Advertiser.
  14. ^ "Tony Andreu Re-Signs". Hamilton Academical F.C. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  15. ^ "MacDonald, Hemmings, Andreu & Loy up for PFA Scotland award". BBC Sport. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  16. ^ "Falkirk and Rangers dominate team of the year voting". BBC Sport. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  17. ^ "Hamilton Academical 10 – 2 Greenock Morton". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  18. ^ Kenny Crawford (19 May 2014). "Hamilton hero Andreu will not let any speculation faze him". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  19. ^ "Hibernian 0 – 2 Hamilton". SPFL. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  20. ^ "Hamilton goal hero Tony Andreu says promotion to the Scottish Premiership is like a dream come true". Daily Record. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  21. ^ "Transfer Deadline Day: Norwich City sign Tony Andreu". BBC Sport. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Lee Camp, Tony Andreu & Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe join Rotherham". BBC Sport. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  23. ^ "Birmingham 0–2 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  24. ^ "Norwich City midfielders Andreu and Thompson return to Carrow Road". ITV News. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  25. ^ "Tony Andreu: Norwich City midfielder joins Dundee United on loan". BBC Sport. 31 August 2016.
  26. ^ "Irn Bru Cup: Dundee Utd & St Mirren reach last 16 after extra time". BBC Sport. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  27. ^ a b Young, Chick (25 March 2017). "Dundee United 2–1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  28. ^ "Tony Andreu leaves City by mutual consent". Norwich City F.C. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  29. ^ "SIGNING: Midfielder Tony Andreu joins the Sky Blues on a two-year deal". Coventry City F.C. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  30. ^ "Coventry City 2 Shrewsbury Town 3: Match report as Sky Blues fall to defeat in Checkatrade Trophy". coventrytelegraph.net. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  31. ^ Turner, Andy (12 September 2017). "Sky Blues suffer 'horrendous' blow as play-maker ruled out for the season". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  32. ^ New Signing: Tony Andreu Hamilton Academical F.C., 18 January 2019
  33. ^ Tony Andreu: Hamilton Academical sign former player on loan from Coventry City, BBC Sport, 18 January 2019
  34. ^ "St Mirren sign Tony Andreu as midfielder is freed by Coventry City". BBC Sport. 4 July 2019.
  35. ^ "St Mirren FC Squad Update". www.stmirren.com.
  36. ^ "Andreu signs for Staggies". RCFC.
  37. ^ Cryle, Ryan. "Ross County sign former St Mirren midfielder Tony Andreu".
  38. ^ "County sign Andreu & Maouche". BBC Sport.
  39. ^ "squad update". Ross County F.C. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  40. ^ "Highlights and signings". Bon Dia. 2 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Tony Andreu: Norwich signing 'similar to Cesc Fabregas'". BBC Sport. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  42. ^ "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  43. ^ "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  44. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  45. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  46. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  49. ^ "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  50. ^ "Games played by Tony Andreu in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2021.