Andy Carroll has joined Dagenham and Redbridge.placeholder image
Andy Carroll has joined Dagenham and Redbridge. | Getty Images
Once a British record transfer, Andy Carroll is still playing football at the age of 36 with a new challenge ahead.
Former West Ham and Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll has joined sixth tier club Dagenham and Redbridge at the age of 36 years old.
The striker will play in the National League South next season with the Essex club having just confirmed a takeover by a Qatari investment group. Carroll is returning to England having left French fourth-tier side Bordeaux at the end of June.
Carroll last played in the UK during a second stint at Reading over the 2022/23 season, which saw the Royals relegated to League One. Speaking to SunSport about his move to Dagenham and Redbridge, Carroll said: “I’m really excited to get started with Dagenham. My kids thought I was signing for Chelsea — they’ll be in for a shock.
Ex West Ham star joins Dagenham and Redbridge
“It’s a fantastic location and close to my kids, they will be able to come and see me play. I really enjoyed my time in Bordeaux but it’s time for me to get settled with my family.
“I’m hoping my kids will bring their friends to see me play. I didn’t want to finish playing football and I’m really excited to get involved in the leadership side and be a player. I’ve got experience in seeing how clubs are run, of all levels. I think I can add value. My first job is to go in as a player, I want to get them promoted.
“I was offered clubs with a lot more money, but I realised Dagenham was a project that I really wanted to get into. I want to help as many players and staff from my experience and background as possible.
“I was getting offers from clubs in France, Italy and Spain, but I wanted to come home. I could sign for a top club, but me and the managers might not see eye to eye, so I just want to be somewhere I’m going to be happy.”
Andy Carroll to work with ex Bournemouth and Man City striker
Carroll was once the subject of a British record transfer when signing for Liverpool from Newcastle United in 2011 for £25 million. He will be managed by ex Bournemouth and Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury at Dagenham and Redbridge.
The former England international made 142 appearances for West Ham during his time at the club, scoring 34 goals and registering 16 assists. The forward initially arrived at the Hammers on loan from Liverpool in 2012 before the London outfit paid £15 million to make that move permanent 12 months later.
As with large parts of his career, Carroll's time at West Ham was ravaged by injury. His most successful Premier League campaign came during the 2015/16 season when he managed nine top flight goals - that included a memorable hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Arsenal.
Carroll returned to his boyhood club of Newcastle United in 2019, where he stayed for two seasons. Then came a brief, but somewhat successful, Championship spell at West Brom in 2022 with three goals in 15 appearances. The striker then scored 11 goals in 42 appearances for Reading before heading to France.
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