Andy Carroll, 36, completes surprise move to sixth-tier London side and takes minority share in the club just hours after they are taken over by Qatari consortium

Former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has completed a surprise move to non-league side Dagenham and Redbridge.

The former England international became a free agent after leaving Bordeaux at the end of last season, but has decided to return to his home country to be closer to his family.

Carroll became a fan favourite in his single campaign in the south of France after dropping down the divisions and taking a huge pay cut, even revealing that he was losing money by playing for them.

The 36-year-old scored 11 goals in 23 matches last season as Bordeaux finished fourth in the National 2, France’s fourth divison.

It was second season in France having netted four times in 35 appearances for second-tier club Amiens the previous season. 

Last month, Bordeaux confirmed Caroll had departed to ‘return home’ and be closer to his five children. 

The six-time Ligue 1 champions issued a gushing statement thanking him for his ‘generous personality’ and for ‘showing total commitment’.

The striker started his career at Newcastle before earning a £35m switch to Liverpool in 2011. He played for England nine times, scoring at the 2012 Euros.

Carroll also had spells at West Ham, West Brom, Reading and returned to Newcastle before moving to Amiens in September 2023.