Former Liverpool and Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll has returned to England in a shock move that nobody saw coming.
At the age of 36 years old, former England international Carroll is yet to hang up his football boots, having spent the last two seasons in France with both Amiens and Bordeaux.
Most recently with fourth-tier side Bordeaux, the Newcastle United graduate scored 11 goals in 23 games, helping the French club, which has been plagued by financial issues, to a fourth place finish in Group B.
However, despite speaking out about his love of playing abroad, Carroll recently announced that he would be returning to England so that he could be closer to his family.
The English legend has been linked with several clubs across the country in recent weeks, but now it has been revealed that he has made a shock move to a club playing in the sixth level of the English football league.
Andy Carroll played for Girondins de Bordeaux last season. (Image: Getty)
Andy Carroll played for Girondins de Bordeaux last season. (Image: Getty)
In an official club statement late on Saturday evening non-league side Dagenham & Redbridge announced that Carroll had joined the club on a free transfer, reportedly signing a three-year deal.
Speaking about the move, the forward confirmed that he had received offers from several clubs across Europe, with some offering a lot of money, but opted for Dagenham & Redbridge as he felt that it was the "right fit".
"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 told 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.
"This is something which could be fantastic. We have a project to get them out of non-league and back up the leagues."
However, having seen Carroll's claims about not signing for any kind of financial benefit, some fans were quick to point out that his decision to join came alongside the club's announcement that they had been taken over by a consortium of prominent Qatari private investors.
It is not clear exactly how much Carroll is set to earn at Dagenham & Redbridge, or how the new owners arrival may have influenced his decision to join the sixth-tier side.
Mr. Youseph Al Sharif is will lead the consortium as the club's Interim Chairman, telling the club website: "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."