Former Aston Villa striker John Carew has revealed that Prince William helped convince him to join the club in 2007.
Carew moved to Villa Park from Lyon and went on to become a popular figure in the Martin O’Neill era.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, with quotes relayed by CaughtOffside, Carew said he first connected with Prince William during a dinner in Norway.
“We met in Norway, during a dinner with the royal family,” Carew said. “I remember we only talked about football, and shortly afterwards, he invited me to England to watch an Aston Villa match, his team.
“He convinced me to move there in 2007.”
Carew had been playing for Lyon before the switch, with his Champions League pedigree giving Villa a powerful forward option. His move quickly proved a strong fit.
Carew Became A Villa Favourite
Carew’s spell at Villa was built on presence, goals and a strong connection with supporters.
He scored 37 Premier League goals for Villa, with StatMuse listing him at 37 goals and nine assists in 113 league appearances.
The Premier League’s official database lists Carew with 38 goals and 10 assists across his wider Premier League career, including his later spell at Stoke City.
Carew also reflected on his consistency at Villa, saying he reached double figures in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons.
That record helped make him one of Villa’s most reliable forwards of the period. His size, movement and finishing gave O’Neill’s side a strong focal point in attack.
ReadAstonVilla has already covered how Villa’s modern fan connection remains a major part of the club’s identity. Carew’s story sits in that same space, even if it belongs to a very different era.
Prince William Link Has Lasted
Carew’s friendship with Prince William has lasted beyond his Villa career.
The former striker revealed that they watched the 2019 Championship play-off final together at Wembley, when Villa beat Derby County to return to the Premier League.
Prince William’s support for Villa is well known. The Sun has previously detailed how he chose the club during his school years and became attached to the atmosphere around Villa supporters.
For Carew, the Villa move also changed his life beyond football.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport that friends in London encouraged him to consider acting while he was still at Villa. He later took acting courses and moved into film after his playing career.
The Prince William detail adds another layer to a familiar Villa favourite. Carew was already remembered as a cult hero at Villa Park.
Now, his move to the club has another memorable piece of history attached to it.
