Jul 12, 2025, 06:35 PM ET<\/p>\n
Former England<\/a> and Liverpool<\/a> striker Andy Carroll has joined sixth-tier side Dagenham & Redbridge, the non-league club announced Saturday.<\/p>\n Carroll, 36, joins the National League South team on a free transfer after leaving fourth-tier French club Bordeaux at the end of last season.<\/p>\n “It doesn’t matter the level, as long as I get on the pitch and play football that’s all that matters,” Carroll told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n “I had clubs ringing me up from higher leagues but it’s got to be the right fit and I’ve got to be in control of myself and what I want to do, and not go to something because it’s higher up or more money.<\/p>\n “It’s something that I know will suit me in my life and this is something that could be fantastic.”<\/p>\n It’s not every day… \u2694\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/wkgK9q1QGG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dagenham & Redbridge (@Dag_RedFC) July 12, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Carroll’s signing came on the same day that Dagenham & Redbridge announced<\/a> they had reached a deal to sell 100% of the club to a group of Qatari private investors.<\/p>\n The east London club spent nine seasons in the Football League before relegation to the National League in 2016. They were relegated again, to England’s sixth tier, last season.<\/p>\n “We have a project here to get them back out of non-league and get them back up the leagues, it’s a great place to be,” Carroll added.<\/p>\n “I think I have more excitement now than I ever have.”<\/p>\n Carroll began his career at Newcastle United<\/a> before becoming Liverpool’s then-record signing when joining for \u00a335 million in January 2011.<\/p>\n After struggling to live up to that price tag, he moved to West Ham United<\/a> in 2013 before re-joining Newcastle in 2019.<\/p>\n He had subsequent spells at Reading, West Bromwich Albion and Amiens.<\/p>\n Carroll, who scored 11 goals in 21 league games for Bordeaux last season, won the last of his nine England caps in 2012.<\/p>\n