Former Newcastle, Liverpool, and West Ham striker Andy Carroll has made a surprising move to Dagenham & Redbridge, a team in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football. Carroll, who recently left Bordeaux after a season, signed a reported three-year deal with the club.

Carroll, 36, expressed his excitement about the new chapter in his career, stating that the decision was driven by his desire to be closer to his children and to continue playing football for the love of the game. Despite receiving offers from higher leagues, Carroll emphasized that finding the right fit was more important than the level of competition.

"It doesn't matter the level, or anything, as long as I get on the pitch and play football, that's all that matters," Carroll said in an interview with Sky Sports. "Coming here and showing people I am just playing for the love of football rather than the money and the level is something I wanted to do."

Carroll, who was born in Gateshead, has had a storied career, scoring 54 goals in 248 Premier League appearances during his time with Newcastle United, Liverpool, and West Ham United. He also played for Reading and West Bromwich Albion before moving to France with Amiens in 2023. Carroll earned nine caps for England, scoring two goals between 2010 and 2012.

Dagenham & Redbridge, often referred to as The Daggers, are looking to rebuild and climb back up the leagues with Carroll as a key part of their project. On the same day as Carroll's signing, the club announced a deal to sell to a consortium of private investors from Qatar, a move that could bring significant investment and resources to the team.

The transaction, led by Club Underdog, a subsidiary of US-based company North Six Group, is still pending final approvals from the FA and the National League. This potential new ownership could mark a turning point for the club, which has struggled in recent years.

Carroll's move to Dagenham & Redbridge is a testament to his passion for football and his willingness to embrace new challenges. Fans of the club are hopeful that his experience and leadership will help propel the team to greater heights in the coming seasons.