Andy Carroll signs for non league club in shock transfer no one saw coming
Former Premier League and England striker Andy Carroll has signed for National League South club Dagenham and Redbridge.
Carroll, who played in the English top flight for Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham, had been a free agent since leaving Bordeaux earlier in the summer.
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Carroll has joined Daggers in perhaps the most random transfer of the summerCredit: Dagenham and RedbridgeBut the nine-cap England international is back in his homeland and has signed a three-year deal with the east London outfit and taken a minority ownership share.
Daggers play in the sixth tier of English football having been relegated from the National League last season.
“I’m really excited to get started with Dagenham. My kids thought I was signing for Chelsea. They’ll be in for a shock!” Carroll told The Sun.
Gateshead-born Carroll began his career at boyhood club Newcastle, signing his first pro deal with them in 2006.
READ MORE ON TRANSFERSHe became a first-team regular in the 2009/10 season which saw the Magpies get promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, scoring 19 goals in all competitions.
A strong start to the 2010/11 season in the Premier League saw Carroll attract the attention of Liverpool, who forked out a then-British record ÂŁ35million to sign him on deadline day in January 2011.
Carroll played in Liverpool’s League Cup final triumph over Cardiff City in February 2012 but his time at Anfield was largely unsuccessful having scored just 11 goals in 58 appearances for the Reds.
He began rebuilding his career with a loan move to West Ham in 2012, which was subsequently made permanent a year later.
Carroll spent six years with the east Londoners as he scored 34 goals in 142 appearances in a career that was marred by persistent injury problems.
Departing West Ham in 2019, Carroll then made a return to Newcastle, signing on a pay-as-you-play deal.
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Carroll began his career as a promising striker at NewcastleCredit: Getty
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Carroll has since admitted he didn’t want to sign for Liverpool
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Carroll last represented BordeauxCredit: AFP via GettyHe would then drop down the leagues two years later, joining Championship club Reading, representing them for two months.
Carroll then signed for West Brom in January 2022 on a deal until the end of the season.
September 2022 saw Carroll go back to Reading before leaving the club again in August 2023.
A new challenge in France awaited Carroll a month later as he joined Ligue 2 club Amiens before moving on to Bordeaux a year later.
At the time, Bordeaux were playing in the fourth tier of French football having been relegated down the leagues after going into receivership.
As mentioned, Carroll has made nine appearances for England which saw him score two goals, including a header during a win over Sweden at Euro 2012.
Former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits he and the club were shocked at Liverpool’s British-record ÂŁ35 million offer for Andy Carroll
His move to a club playing in the sixth division in English football will raise eyebrows, however, his signing comes on the same day Dagenham and Redbridge announced that a consortium of Qatari private investors had agreed terms to purchase 100 per cent of the club off current ownership group Club Underdog.
Youseph Al Sharif is interim chairman and is supported by the club’s former captain, Anwar Uddin MBE, who joins as a non-executive director.
Al Sharif said: “This is a club with deep roots and real meaning. I’ve followed English football closely for years, and I know what clubs like Dagenham represent to their communities.
“We’re stepping into something that matters to people’s lives, and we don’t take that lightly. We’re here to contribute properly and earn our place.
“This will take time, but we’re committed to building with care, ambition, and respect for everything Dagenham and Redbridge FC stands for.”
Uddin added: “I consider it an absolute privilege to return to the club after such a memorable spell as a player.
Read More on talkSPORT”I’m genuinely excited to reconnect with the fans and everyone associated with Dagenham and Redbridge, and to play a part in helping the club move firmly in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, Carroll joining Daggers will allow him to be nearby the three children he shares with TOWIE star Billi Mucklow, whom he divorced last year.
